Prepared exclusively for liberattoretk@gmail.

com Order ID: 0103700580

NYC INTRODUCTION — 2 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

1st EDITION, MAR, 2017

HOW TO MOVE TO NYC

COPYRIGHT 2017, HOUSE OF VAN SCHNEIDER LLC

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED

THIS BOOK DURING THE PRE-ORDER PROCESS.

YOU ARE MY HEROES.

AUTHOR & LAYOUT: TOBIAS VAN SCHNEIDER

EDITING: LIZZY SPANO

ILLUSTRATION: LU YU

PUBLISHED BY: HOUSE OF VAN SCHNEIDER LLC

WRITTEN & DESIGNED IN NEW YORK CITY

WWW.VANSCHNEIDER.COM

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN — 3 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Tobias in SoHo, Manhattan, 2015

Three years after moving to New York.

PICTURE BY MARION LUTTENBERGER

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC INTRODUCTION — 4 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Why I Wrote This Book

Six years ago I decided to move I learned a lot from my move to New York
to New York City. I was born in and even more in the years I’ve lived here
Germany but lived in Austria since. Now I’m sharing everything I know
with you, with the hope of making your
at the time, where I ran my move as easy and enjoyable as possible.
own design studio.
Most of this information is available in
Like many who moved to New some form on the internet but it’s either
York before me, I packed my scattered, outdated or written in compli-
cated government language. Here I’ve pro-
bags without a plan but with vided all the information you need when
big dreams. Fast forward to to- planning your move, collected in the sim-
day and I’m still living and cre- plest form possible. No bullshit, no fluff.
ating in NYC. This city never
stops, and I love that about it.

As you can imagine, moving from a small

town in Austria to one of the biggest and
most expensive cities in the world wasn’t
easy. One of many obstacles I had to over-
come was the language barrier, because
my English wasn’t great. On top of that,
the only traditional education I had was
high school, and I dropped out at the age
of 15. I knew without a degree it would
be harder for me to enter a new coun-
try known for its demanding immigration
procedure. But I did, and it was worth it.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC INTRODUCTION — 5 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

My Lawyer Says I Have to

Do This
By purchasing and reading this book, you
How to Read This Book accept the following:

I wanted to make this book short, so of The information in this book is based on
course it ended up being more than 100 my personal experience and research. I’m
pages. Still I tried to keep everything as a designer, not a lawyer or legal expert, so
simple as possible. The layout isn’t fancy. please consult a professional if you have
The images are few and far between. This any doubt or legal questions. None of the
should be a utility tool for you, without any information contained here should be tak-
pretty distractions. en as legal advice.

This book is not a city guide. It’s designed I started drafting this book in 2015 and
to help you move to New York from outside wrote the majority of it in 2016 and 2017.
the United States as efficiently as possible. Since then, a few things have changed.
For example, the United States got a new
Skip around if you like. Don’t waste your president who has already made changes
time reading chapters that don’t apply to to the immigration policy.
you. For example: Don’t need a job? Skip
the first chapter. Don’t need a visa? Skip While I truly hope most work visa require-
the third chapter (and count yourself ments won’t change too quickly, please
lucky). If you’re not sure, keep reading. consult your immigration lawyer to confirm
We’ll figure it out together. that the information in this book is current.

As part of this book, I’m writing a series of Awesome, glad that’s out of the way.
blog articles about New York. Follow along
at vanschneider.com/blog. Now let’s get started.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

IND
Chapter 1

Get a tourist visa

& scout the city
Chapter 3
PAGE 8
Applying and getting a
US work visa

PAGE 20
Chapter 2
How to network and
find a job
Chapter 4
PAGE 10
Making your final move
to New York City

PAGE 54

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

DEXChapter 5
Finding your dream
apartment
Chapter 7
PAGE 64
Understanding how
New York Works

PAGE 94

Chapter 6
Setting up
the essentials
Chapter 8
PAGE 72
Taxes and other
anual maintenance

PAGE 100

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 1 — 8 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
SCOUT THE CITY

Step 1
Get a Tourist
Visa and Visit
Before moving to New York Apply for a Tourist Visa
you should visit. This will give The regular ESTA tourist visa allows you to
you a chance to scout the city stay in the United States for a maximum of
90 days. You can apply for the ESTA visa
and get a feel for it.
here for a small cost.

Of course it’s a big city and The ESTA visa does NOT allow you to work
you can’t familiarize yourself for American companies while in New
with everything immediately, York (we’ll talk more about work visas in
Chapter 3). You might, however, still work
but I recommend spending at
remotely on your freelance projects from
least 1-3 months in New York back home. This is a smart way to finance
before considering a more your trip to the city.
permanent move.
You don’t have to stay three months, but
you should stay at least 2-4 weeks if you
Inside This Chapter can afford it. If you are a freelancer, you can
mark these trips as a business expense as
→ Applying for a tourist visa long as you’re meeting with some poten-
→ Where to stay on your visit tial clients in New York. This should make
it much easier to stay without losing too
much cash.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 1 — 9 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
SCOUT THE CITY

Where to Stay

New York is expensive, but for your first Airbnb

three months you just need to find a good I’ve used Airbnb several times for trips like
temporary solution; you mostly need a this. There are still some affordable Airbnb
place to sleep and not much more. Below rooms available in New York if you are OK
are the most budget-friendly options, with sharing an apartment with five other
ranked by affordability. roommates — it’s only temporary.

Apartment Swap If you can afford to stay up to three months

in New York, switch your Airbnb apartment
If you have a friend in New York who would every four weeks to a new location. This is
like to stay in your country for a while, offer a great strategy to not only make friends
them an apartment swap for a few weeks. and valuable contacts in the city, but to
This is the best and most affordable solu- also experience different neighborhoods
tion you can find. Since there is no mon- before choosing where to live.
ey involved and it’s just friends switching
apartments, your landlords should have no For example:
problem with it.
→ Month 1 - Airbnb in Lower Manhattan
Hostels → Month 2 - Airbnb in Upper Manhattan
→ Month 3 - Airbnb in Brooklyn
If you’re traveling alone and don’t have (Williamsburg or Greenpoint are good
high expectations for your lodging, you starting points in Brooklyn)
could stay at one of many affordable hos-
tels in the New York area. Unfortunately Chapter Summary
most of them are outside the city center,
requiring you to commute to Manhattan Get your ESTA visa and visit New York
every day. While this is one of the cheap- already! Stay as long as legally possible
est options, it’s not the most convenient. (three months) to get a feel for the city.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 10 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

Step 2
Networking and
Finding a Job
Finding a job in New York is I will assume that you are an expert at
whatever you do and have a company
not easy. Tens of thousands
already interested in hiring you. (Please
seek to live and work here ev- note that you should absolutely have a job
ery year. As a non-American lined up before moving here, as most visas
citizen, you’ll likely need to require a company to sponsor you. More
work harder and smarter than on this in Chapter 3.)

all the other people who want

I’m a designer, so this chapter naturally fo-
the same job you do. cuses on my experience finding a job with-
in the creative and tech industry. However,
I’ve always felt New York is a friendly city, the principles described in these pages
but it’s competitive — ­ especially for you. could apply to most industries.
Companies in the United States will always
hire someone from within the country first
if that person matches their current job Inside This Chapter
opening. To hire someone from overseas
means more work, risk and investment → Is an internship worth it?
from their side. Knowing that, you need to → Networking events & making friends
prove that you are a better hire and worth → Networking via social media & email
the investment. This topic could easily fill → The interview process
its own book but it’s not the purpose of
this one, so I’ll keep it short and snappy.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 11 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

Starting With an Internship

Internships are very common in New York and are offered by most
companies I have worked with in the past. Bigger companies announce
their internship programs once a year; small companies are generally
open to internships all year, so you can get in touch with them anytime.

Are interns getting paid?

This depends on the company and it’s less organized than in Europe,
for example. Bigger companies in New York (this is very specific to New
York) usually pay their interns up to $2,000 a month while small compa-
nies pay up to $1,000 or often nothing. I know of a lot of small studios
that cannot afford to pay their interns but still accept them.

One of the main reasons small companies usually pay less is because of
the way interns enter the United States. In some cases, interns do their
internship illegally — which is very risky ­— rather than applying for a
proper visa (see Chapter 3 for visa information). Many small studios sim-
ply can’t afford to hire interns the official way because it would mean
they have to pay the intern plus legal fees, insurance and so on.

If you are looking for an internship, first ask the company if they are pay-
ing for it and how much they are paying. I know many people who have
done free internships in the city. Depending on where you do your in-
ternship, it could be a great opportunity to make connections that may
later help you find a job. I never advise anyone to work for free, but if I
really wanted to work at a specific studio and get good names on my CV,
I would weigh my options and make a decision for myself.

Doing a free internship isn’t a problem if you do it on your own terms. Only
beware of studios who ask you to work for free right at the beginning,
as they may end up taking advantage of you. But if you can afford to do
an unpaid internship and think it could be a good investment for your
career, do it.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 12 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

Networking and Making Friends

The best way to find a job is to make connections. Everyone knows this,
but it is even more true in a big, busy place like New York. If you can make
the pre-move visit and stay here for three months, be sure to network
the hell out of New York City. And I say that as an introvert who doesn’t
like networking.

Most people are hired based on recommendations, and often these

recommendations are not from a deep connection. If I met you once or
twice, for example, I might already have reason enough to recommend
you for a job. Networking isn’t so much about becoming best friends but
about staying on each other’s radar.

Let’s say you are an illustrator. We just met each other at an event, you
showed me your work and I liked it. Chances are high that if in the fol-
lowing days a friend asks me for an illustrator recommendation, I’ll think
of you because you’re still fresh on my mind. It’s a little bit like forcing
your own luck.

Networking Events
The great thing about New York is that there are networking events hap-
pening every day, no exaggeration. When I first moved here I knew al-
most no one. However, there were a few events that helped me not only
find potential jobs, but also make my first friends within the industry.

There are too many to list them all, but here is the essential list of net-
working events I found valuable for my first year in New York City.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 13 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

Meetups.com AIGA

Because I had no idea what was happen- The AIGA, a professional association for
ing in the city, I browsed meetups.com for design, hosts dozens of events throughout
events that might interest me. You can the year in the city. They’re either free or at
filter for events in your area or neighbor- a discounted price for members. I went to
hood and specify your industry. Most of a couple of them my first year in New York
these events are small and casual. It’s just and made a lot of great connections. This
a group of people with similar interests is where you will make your friends, espe-
meeting over free beer and pizza. cially if you’re more of a traditional graphic
designer or illustrator.
Tip: Meetups.com usually displays the list
of people who plan to attend each event. Another fun fact: I used to be on the board
This is a great feature because you can of directors at AIGA in New York City. I was
review the list of attendees before com- nominated to join the board by a group of
mitting to the event to see if it’s worth people — one of these people was Randy
your time. Upload a picture of yourself on Hunt, who I just mentioned. This is how the
meetups.com, add a short, interesting bio dots connect.
with a URL to your portfolio and I guaran-
tee others will stalk you on the attendee The Art Directors Club
list as well. If you’re lucky, people will walk
up to you at the event before you even try The Art Directors Club organizes a range of
to approach anyone else. events in the city that are free for its mem-
bers. These events are often small, which
Fun fact: I met Randy Hunt, VP of De- is great for introverts like me. Becoming a
sign at Etsy, at one of the first meetups member of the ADC is also good for your
I attended. He was giving a talk there. visa (more on this in Chapter 3 where we
I knew who he was and had seen his talk about visas in detail).
work, but he certainly didn’t know mine.
Randy has since become a good friend.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 14 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

Other Networking The Internet and Social

Opportunities Media

Another great networking opportunity is The best place for networking, especially
Dribbble Meetups, usually organized by for my fellow introverts out there, is the in-
the community itself. ternet. Big surprise! It’s even better when
combined with in-person events.
WorkingNotWorking also organizes some
of the coolest events for creatives in the For example, if you go to a Meetup event,
city. don’t just collect business cards and leave.
Prior to the event, check out the attendee
Product companies such as Google, Spoti- list, find the three most interesting people
fy or Facebook host little design or devel- and send them a quick tweet saying: “Hey,
oper events at their offices. Even if you’re I saw you’re going to XYZ event next week.
not interested in joining these companies I’m coming too. Looking forward to meet-
specifically, you will meet many like-mind- ing you.”
ed people there.
After the event, go through the list of at-
The best way to stay informed about these tendees and send them a quick tweet
events is by following design or develop- like: “Hey Susan, great meeting you at XYZ
ment-related Twitter accounts (i.e. Google event the other day” or “Hey Rob, I saw you
Design, Google Dev, Spotify Design and so at XYZ event. Sad we didn’t get a chance to
on). Just Google the design or develop- talk, but hopefully next time.”
ment teams you are interested in and you
will find the right accounts to follow. I’m a huge fan of Twitter for making initial
contact. If you move to New York and plan
The same goes for any other design stu- to work in the creative industry, Twitter is
dios or product companies. one of your most useful tools. Warming
up before networking events or following
up after is important, and Twitter makes it
easy. Twitter is also less creepy or annoy-
ing than email, especially if you didn’t ex-
change contact information at the event.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 15 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

How to Network on Twitter

The easiest way to meet people at certain - DO try to meet for coffee or lunch. Lunch
companies is typically through friends of is the best excuse because it’s a limited
friends. But let’s say this isn’t an option amount of time, and everyone has to eat
and you have to approach someone you lunch anyway. You will have more chanc-
don’t know. The best way to do this is to es picking someone up for lunch at their
simply tweet at them. If you’re in NYC for company than trying to schedule a couple
three months checking out the city, tweet beers or dinner. Beers and dinner have
at some people and ask if they have time no defined time limit — ­ 30 minutes is too
for a few questions. But before you do that, short, 1 hour might seem rushed, 2+ hours
here are some handy guidelines. is too long. Save that for your second date.

Twitter Dos & Dont’s - DON’T be complicated with the specifics.

If someone agrees to meet, propose three
- DO send a short tweet to the people example dates for lunch and offer to come
you’d like to meet. Keep it simple and ca- to their office. Make it as easy as possible
sual. for the person you’d like to meet. They’re
doing you a favor, after all.
- DON’T say things like, “Can I pick your
brain?” Nobody likes that and chances are Lunch Dos & Dont’s
low that someone replies with excitement.
People in New York tend to be busy, and - DON’T make polite small talk that wastes
asking someone to pick their brain usually both of your time. When you meet with
sounds like extra work for them. someone, share a bit about yourself: the
purpose of this meeting, why you are here,
- DO be specific and respectful of their what kind of job you are looking for, etc.
time. I personally get a lot of messages Leave an impression, but don’t bore or
from people who visit New York and want pressure the other person. Ask as many
to meet. I decline most of them because concrete questions as possible. Show in-
if I said yes to everyone, I would have a terest in what they have to say. If you are
full-time job meeting up with people. It’s interested, you are interesting.
not that I don’t like to meet people, but I
simply can’t afford it. Put yourself in the - DO be friendly, prepared and pur-
shoes of someone you are contacting. pose-driven. Make it easy for people to
Think of how you’d like to be approached help you.
by a stranger.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 16 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

How to Email Busy People

Email is a little harder than Twitter be-
cause it’s more personal and can come off 3. Format your email
as annoying. However, email is still one of
the most effective tools for finding a job. Most emails that don’t get a reply are hor-
Here are a few tips to help you write emails ribly formatted and a pain to read. Take the
that get the response you want. extra minute to make your email easy to
scan and digest. Instead of sending a wall
1. The elevator pitch of text, use breaks and format your email
properly so the recipient doesn’t have to
Skip the small talk and begin your email do it for you before she can begin reading.
with a short, action-oriented summary
explaining what the email is about. Say One good formatting rule is to use num-
what you want up front — all other details bers. Every time I reply to emails I take
should be optional to read. I know it’s hard them apart and number key sections, as
because we don’t want to sound rude, but I’ve done in this section of the book. It
it’s more rude to steal someone’s time by takes me a lot of time but helps the re-
throwing words around. Overall, try to not cipient easily digest the information and
talk too much about yourself. Instead, add get back to me in the same fashion, which
a link to your bio for extra credibility. ends up saving us both time.

2. Don’t try to score on the first date Don’t make people format your messages
to reply to you. The easier you can make
There’s a fine balance between saying it for the reader, the higher the chances
what you want and trying too hard. Trying they’ll reply with the exact information
to score on the first date is dangerous; it you’re looking for.
can ruin the whole relationship immedi-
ately. If you want something, first explain
what and then tell me why this is benefi-
cial for both of us. If it’s only beneficial for
you, that’s cool too, as long as that’s clear
up front. Be honest and authentic. Don’t
be a cheesy sales person trying to out-
smart someone.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 17 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

4. Send it again 6. No bullshit office jargon

If you haven’t received a reply in more than If you write something like “holistic high
a week, copy the same email and send it level overview of potential synergies us-
again. Don’t add more things to it or ask if ing cutting edge technologies” my brain
they got the email, or why they didn’t re- is already dead before I can hit the reply
ply. Asking these questions doesn’t help button.
anyone and only puts pressure on the re-
cipient. Just send the same email again. If 7. Be funny
you change anything, simply optimize the
intro or subject line. Every time someone You wouldn’t believe how much a funny
does this I’m thankful because it either GIF helps. Anything that makes me smile
serves as reminder or points out an email I is a bonus. As the saying goes, time I enjoy
may have overlooked. wasting is not wasted.

5. Don’t ask to ask a question

How to Use LinkedIn
Sending an email asking if you can ask
even more questions will accomplish Despite its reputation, LinkedIn can be
nothing. What do you expect someone to useful for finding a job within the creative
say in reply? Send questions right away industry. You might appreciate this article
if you want answers, and number them. If about how make the most of LinkedIn as a
you plan to ask 10 questions but know the designer or developer.
receiver might be overwhelmed, send five
right away and the other five after they re-
ply. It’s important to get to the point, but at
the same time not overwhelm the person
on the other end.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 18 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

The Interview Process

Let’s assume you’ve already found a job opportunity (likely through a
recommendation) and you’re offered an interview. The interview process
will be unique to each company, but here are some general guidelines.

Interviews
If you’re interviewing at a small studio or agency, you’ll usually complete
one or two interviews before they will offer you a job.

The interview process at bigger companies such as Spotify or Google

can be much longer and can take up to 4+ weeks. If you are interested
in working at a bigger product company, make sure you have enough
time in New York to complete the interview process. Usually, the inter-
view process at bigger companies consists of 4-6 rounds of interviews.

Typical Interview Process (With Bigger Companies)

The first two interviews will likely be online or via the phone with your as-
signed recruiter covering basics such as your background. But remem-
ber: While parts of the interview process can take place via Skype, being
there in person is always a bonus and sets you apart (see Chapter 1).

The following two rounds of interviews are often in person with specific
people from your department of interest. For example, if you are applying
as a designer, these interviews are first with some senior designers and
then later with other stakeholders. These interviews are usually portfo-
lios reviews, culture-fit interviews or concrete design tests that can last
up to a full day at the company’s office.

The last one or two interviews are with your recruiter again. This is when
you will go through salary negotiations and hopefully get some feedback
on how you did during the interviews.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 2 — 19 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FIND A JOB

If you get the job, your recruiter will call with a verbal offer. Shortly after,
you will receive the written offer letter. This is important to know, espe-
cially for people who need to apply for work visas in the United States.
You do not have the job until you sign the written offer letter. Even if you
accept the offer verbally, it’s not final and can always change. If you want
to be a 100% sure, wait for your written offer letter and then start the
visa process.

A good resource is my “How to get a job at X“ interview series on my blog

where companies such as Nike, Electronic Arts, Airbnb and so on share
their detailed hiring process. Check it out here.

Questions you should ask your potential employer:

→ Will they cover the visa costs for you (including attorney costs)?
→ Will they provide an attorney, or do you need to find your own?
→ What health benefits (health insurance) package do they offer?
→ Will they pay for your relocation? (Usually, only big companies do.)
→ Will they provide you with housing for the first three months? (Big

companies sometimes do this to make it easier for you to find an apart-

ment.)

Chapter Summary
→ Most jobs in New York are given to people who get recommended.
→ Build your network, make friends and have fun. It’s worth it.
→ Be clear about what you want and be respectful of other people’s time.

→ Be in NYC for job interviews. Interviews can last up to four weeks.

→ You don’t officially have a job until you sign the offer letter.

→ With the help of the company hiring you, begin the visa application

process immediately after signing the offer letter.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 20 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Step 3
Getting a Proper
Work Visa
This is one of the most I am not a legal advisor and no
expert in visas. Be sure to do your own
important and complex
research and read the provided links with
chapters of this book and I additional resources.
will do my best to explain
everything as simply as pos- I want to prepare you as well as I can, but
sible. Please understand that always discuss your situation with your im-
migration lawyer. There is no way around
the nature of visas is subject
an immigration lawyer when applying for a
to change, which means that visa, regardless of which visa you’re trying
specific requirements or types to get. See lawyer recommendations on
of visas may be different by the last page of this chapter.
the time you read this book.
Inside This Chapter
To double check information,
visit the official visa website. → How to determine if you need a visa
→ Understanding visa language
As a non-American citizen, you must get a → The visa application process
work visa or working permission to work in → Common visas & their requirements
the United States. We’ll discuss the → Immigration lawyer recommendations
options and requirements in this chapter.
If you’re completely unfamiliar with what a
IMPORTANT: If you read the following visa is, please first read here.
chapter you accept that THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION IS NOT TO BE TAKEN AS LE-
GAL ADVICE.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 21 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Do You Need a Work Visa?

Before we begin, I should mention that there are a few rare cases in
which you don’t need a visa.

1. You have dual citizenship.

If someone in your family is an American citizen and you are lucky enough
to have dual citizenship, you do not need a visa to work in the country.

2. You are getting married to an American citizen.

By marrying an American citizen, you may have the right to apply for a
green card through your partner. But do not assume you can enter the U.S.
easily just because you’re married to a U.S. citizen. We will not cover that
process in this book, so ask your immigration lawyer for advice.

3. You have a green card.

A green card allows you permanent residence in the United States. If

you are eligible for a green card or win one in the Green Card Lottery,
you don’t need to worry about visas. However, it’s much more difficult to
qualify for a green card and your chances of winning one are low.

Of course, many people apply for a green card after they’ve successfully
lived and worked under a visa in the United States for a couple years.

If you don’t fall into one of the above categories, you will need a work
visa to legally live and work in the United States. We will review some of
them in detail on the following pages.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 22 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

What is a Work Visa?

Living in New York and working in New York are two different things. The
following chapter focuses on securing a work visa, which allows you to
live and work in the United States.

First, you should know there are many different ways to enter and work in
the United States (a work visa is one of these). Assuming you don’t have
a green card or dual citizenship as discussed in the previous pages, let’s
examine the four most common of these categories.

Four Ways to Legally Work in the States

1. You are a student or exchange visitor on a student visa and you have
received permission to work from your sponsoring institution.

This implies that you are in the United States for a short amount of time,
usually less than one year. The visas to look at are H-3, F-1 and J-1.

2. You are on a temporary (nonimmigrant) worker visa

Most people fall into this category. In this chapter we will discuss tempo-
rary nonimmigrant work visas such as the H-1B, O-1 and others.

Remember: No matter who you are or which work visa you get, you are
called a temporary nonimmigrant worker. I know that term is confusing,
but unless you own a green card or you become a citizen, you are always
(with limited exceptions) a temporary worker in the eyes of the U.S. gov-
ernment.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 23 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

3. You are Australian (if not, skip this part)

If you are Australian with a U.S. job offer for a professional level (Bachelor
or higher) position, you do not need to read into all the visa types in this
chapter. Australians have access to a special visa called the E-3. Gener-
ally, the E-3 visa is similar to the nonimmigrant H-1B visa with a couple
more benefits:

→Your spouse has the right to apply for an Employment Authorization

Card that would allow him/her to seek employment in the open market.

→ The E-3 visa is renewable indefinitely (every two years).

→ The application process is much quicker than any other visa.

→ There is no annual visa limit; apply whenever you want.

Read more about the E-3 visa here.

4. You are Canadian or Mexican (if not, skip this part)

There is something called the North American Free Trade Agreement

(NAFTA) which is an agreement between the United States, Canada and
Mexico. If you’re Canadian or a Mexican citizen, you might qualify for a
TN visa that makes it easier for you to live and work in the United States.

You can of course also apply for regular nonimmigrant visas, but I highly
recommend you speak to your immigration lawyer about the “TN NAFTA
Professionals” program to see if you qualify. TN occupations are limited,
please check the links below to see if your occupation is listed.

If you’re moving with your spouse and kids, ask your immigration lawyer
about the individual TN visa for your spouse or the “TD Visa.”

Read more about the TN NAFTA Visa here.

Compare the TN vs H-1B visa here.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 24 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Work Visa Options

Assuming you are a student/exchange visitor or a temporary nonimmi-

grant worker as described, these are some of the more popular visa op-
tions currently available to you. In the following pages, we’ll review each
of these options in detail. Read closely to understand which option ap-
plies to your situation, because you don’t have to read through them all.

The H-3: “Trainee” Visa

Only read if you’re a student or temporary trainee. The H-3 visa is a
good entry-level visa for people trying to work in the United States.

The J-1: “Exchange Visitor” Visa

Only read if you can qualify as an exchange student or a teacher.

The F-1: “Student” Visa

The F-1 is the classic student visa which allows you to study in the
United States with the potential to work in the U.S. afterward.

The H-1B: “Solid Work” Visa

If you’re planning on working full time for a company in the States,
the H-1B visa might be your thing.

The O-1: “Extraordinary Alien” Visa

If you’re planning on working full time or as a freelancer, the
O-1 may be the right fit for you.

The E-2 & EB-5: “Investor” Visa

If you’re planning on moving and building your company in the
United States, this section is for you.

The L-1: “Internal Transfer” Visa

If you’re working full time at a company outside the U.S. that wants to
move you to its New York location, you might qualify for an L-1 visa.

The list above only features the most common work visas. To view all
available visas, visit this website.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 25 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Important Terms to Know

The visa and immigration process is con- This is VERY important. If a border official
fusing, especially if English isn’t your first believes you are intentionally or acciden-
language. You will encounter a lot of com- tally misrepresenting yourself, you can be
plicated language that you might not un- banned from the United States.
derstand. Before we get into visa details,
let me help you with the basic terms and Dual Intent
etiquette.
Dual intent means you are trying to apply
Nonimmigrant (EXTRA IMPORTANT) for a visa that allows you to temporarily
live in the United States with the intent to
If you apply for a regular work visa in the become a permanent resident. Again, un-
United States, you are called a “legal less you hold a dual intent visa, you should
alien” or “nonimmigrant.” That’s because ALWAYS articulate your nonimmigrant in-
most visas are temporary work visas, tent especially when talking to U.S. gov-
meaning you have a permanent residence ernment officials such as border control.
elsewhere. If you talk to officials or border
control, you are ALWAYS a nonimmigrant,
NOT a permanent resident of the United IMPORTANT: If you dream of living per-
States. manently in the United States (10 years
or more), please make this VERY CLEAR
Even if you manage to live in the United when talking to your immigration lawyer.
States for 10 years on a particular visa, They will give you the right advice.
you’re technically still NOT an immigrant
and NOT a permanent resident. Unless you
are on a dual intent visa (see below), it’s Nonresident Legal Alien
bad to actively show interest in remaining
permanently in the States. That’s you. You are a nonresident legal
alien now, at least that’s what the U.S.
calls you. Get used to it in case you need
to fill out a form. If you manage to get a
green card later, you’re called a resident
alien instead.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 26 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Sponsor without getting a new visa sticker in your

passport.
A sponsor is the company or agent that
is planning to hire you. While the term Remember though, if you change your
“sponsor” sounds like they are also paying status and leave the United States later,
for your visa and lawyer, that is not always you can’t return to the U.S. without a new
the case, although some visas require the visa stamp that matches your new status.
sponsor to pay the lawyer and filing fees. You need to stop at an embassy before
re-entering so your passport can be
Petitioner updated to your new status.

This is just another name for the U.S. em- To change your status you simply talk to
ployer who is sponsoring you for a work the immigration lawyer that brought you
visa. Sometimes we also refer to the pe- to the States, or you ask for a new one. It
titioner as the sponsor. Same thing, really. always starts with your lawyer first.

USCIS Green Card

That’s the United States Citizenship and A permanent resident card. If you have
Immigration Services who will be your this card, you are a legal permanent resi-
best friend during the visa application dent of the United States and can eventu-
process. ally qualify for citizenship.

Beneficiary Please visit this website from the USCIS

to find out more about green cards.
If you ever read this on a form or in your
visa application, that’s you. You are the Premium Processing Fee
beneficiary of the visa.
With some visas you can pay a Premium
Change of Status Processing Fee, which speeds up the pro-
cess of your visa application and guaran-
Status refers to your legal status in the tees you an answer within 14 days. This
United States. “Change of status” means fee is usually $1,000.
you are changing your purpose in the
States and have asked the USCIS to For frequently asked questions, please
change your status from one visa status refer to the U.S. visa website.
to another visa status. You can do this
while remaining in the United States

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC — 27 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

How the Visa Application Works

Here is a general overview of what to expect during
the visa application process:

1.You and your immigration lawyer find the visa you

are qualified for.

2. You and your lawyer, or your employer’s immi-

gration lawyer, prepare and submit the visa ap-
plication. You’ll wait a couple weeks or up to six
months, depending on whether you paid the premium
processing fee.

3.If your application is approved, you will need to

make an appointment with the U.S. embassy in your
home country for a visa interview (at this step,
you still don’t know if you’re granted permission to
work in the United States). Ask your lawyer for in-
terview tips. My tip: Don’t be nervous,just be nice.

4.At the end of your interview at the embassy, they

will take your passport and send you home without
it. You still don’t know if you passed the inter-
view, but don’t worry.

5.About two weeks later you will get your passport

back. If you open it and find a visa inside, you
made it, you’re now allowed to enter the United
States! Hoooray! If there is no visa inside, don’t
panic. Just contact your immigration lawyer.

PRO TIP: During the visa application process it

is NOT recommended to enter the United States on a
tourist visa. Avoid any travel during your visa ap-
plication process. Ask your lawyer if you’re unsure.
=)

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 28 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

H-3THE “TRAINEE” VISA

QUICK FACTS:

→ YOU NEED A COMPANY TO SPONSOR YOU

→ YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FREELANCE
→ YOU ARE AN INTERN, NOT AN EMPLOYEE
→ VISA LASTS UP TO 18 MONTHS (24 MAX)

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 29 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

The H-3 visa is a trainee or special education visa. It’s intended for those
seeking training or work experience in the United States with the goal
of applying what you learned overseas after your training ends. The H-3
visa allows you to stay in the States for only 12 months (compared to
most other work visas, which last up to three years). A U.S. employer
would file this visa application on your behalf.

The application requires that you need training in your field which
doesn’t apply if you are, for example, an experienced senior designer.
If you are a senior in your field, be careful about mentioning the H-3 visa
in your first interviews with companies. This essentially implies that you
are looking to work as an intern. Mentioning the H-3 visa could negative-
ly affect your salary negotiations.

How to Get the H-3 Visa

The company who takes you on as a “trainee” must apply for you, so
there is usually nothing for you to do beyond supplying your documents
to the company or its immigration lawyer. Simply ask the company you
are planning to work for if the H-3 visa could be an option for you. Apply-
ing for the H-3 visa is fast; you could get it within 3-4 weeks.

Can I Bring My Family on the H-3 Visa?

You can bring your spouse and unmarried children (if they are under 21
years old) but they are NOT allowed to work in the United States. To bring
your family, they need to apply for an H-4 visa (which is not a work visa).
If they want to work, they need to apply for their own work visa.
Please ask your immigration lawyer to advise you.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 30 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

J-1
THE “EXCHANGE VISITOR” VISA

QUICK FACTS:

→ GREAT FOR INTERNSHIPS & EXCHANGE STUDENTS

→ COULD LAST UP TO 18 MONTHS BUT VARIES

DEPENDING ON IF YOU’RE A J-1 INTERN, A J-1 TRAINEE
OR A J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR

→ TYPICALLY VERY FAST TO APPLY & GET

→ NOT A DUAL INTENT VISA

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 31 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

The J-1 has many categories. Two of them (the intern and trainee cate-
gories) are somewhat similar to the H-3 visa, but it’s mostly for exchange
students or teachers who are interested in an exchange program.
Requirements differ depending on which category you fit into.

The J-1 is popular for people planning to do an internship in the United

States. To get it you need to apply through an exchange visitor program
(such as Intrax) and then find a company to take you on as an intern.

While the J-1 intern visa is one of the quickest and easiest visas to apply
for, it only allows you to stay in the United States for up to 12 months,
which is a relatively short time to be in New York. This visa might also
make it difficult to transfer to an O-1 visa (more on the O-1 later in this
chapter), because you essentially go from being an intern to being an
Extraordinary Alien (yes, that’s what they call it here in America).

Ask your immigration lawyer if the J-1 visa is the right fit for you before
choosing this option. Also ask your immigration lawyer about potential
change of status plans and what you can do after being on the J-1 visa.

IMPORTANT: The J-1 is NOT a dual intent visa.

For more information on the J-1, review the official documentation.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 32 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

F-1
THE “STUDENT” VISA

QUICK FACTS:

→ FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

→ YOU HAVE VERY LIMITED OPTIONS FOR WORKING OFF CAMPUS
→ OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING AVAILABLE AFTER GRADUATION
→ MUST PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
→ NOT A DUAL INTENT VISA

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 33 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

The F-1 is a visa specifically for people who want to study full time in the
United States. While I focus on work visas in this book, I’ve included the
F-1 visa as it could give you a good entry opportunity.

Applying for an F-1 visa is fairly straightforward but also time consuming.
You first need to be accepted by an American university that has been
approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Once you’ve
received an acceptance letter from your school you can start the visa
application process.

Please remember that the F-1 visa is meant for full-time students. It is
not meant to be a work visa. Some universities allow their students to
work on campus for 20 hours a week, but this depends on your situation.

The benefit of an F-1 visa is that after you’ve finished studying, you can
apply for “Optional Practical Training (OPT)”. OPT is essentially an exten-
sion of your F-1 visa that allows you to work 12 more months at a compa-
ny within your field of study.

Please consult your immigration lawyer and current university if you’re

thinking about applying for the F-1 visa.

IMPORTANT: The F-1 is NOT a dual intent visa.

For more information on the F-1 visa, check out this website.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 34 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

H-1B
THE “WORK” VISA

QUICK FACTS:

→ AVERAGE TIME TO APPLY: 6 WEEKS TO 10 MONTHS

→ YOU NEED A DEGREE IN A SPECIFIC FIELD THAT MATCHES

THE WORK OR 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN A RELATED FIELD

→ FREELANCE WORK IS NOT ALLOWED

→ AVERAGE LAWYER COST IS $2,500

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 35 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

If you already have a job lined up, the H-1B visa could be the one for you.
But you must have a company who wants to hire you first. They call the
company who wants to hire you “a sponsor” (this does not necessarily
mean they pay for your visa costs).

There are 65,000 H-1B visas available every year plus an additional
20,000 for graduates or U.S. advanced (master or higher) degree pro-
grams. Please double check this number here as it’s always changing.
H-1B visas become available at a specific time every year and are often
completely “sold out” in just one week.

If you accept a job, the company hiring you will apply for the H-1B visa
for you and will usually provide an immigration lawyer. In most cases, the
H-1B legal and filing fees (around $4,000-$5,000 total) are also covered
by your company. Be sure to clarify this with the company during your
initial interviews. Some companies, especially smaller ones, like to make
deals with their employees and only pay half of the visa costs, but by law
the employer cannot require you to pay the filing fees. Educate yourself
and be prepared.

How to Get an H-1B Visa

→ You must have a specialized bachelor’s degree or at least 12 years

experience working in your field. If you already know this doesn’t apply to
you, skip to the O-1 visa because you won’t qualify for an H-1B.

→ The company has to pay you the required “prevailing wage” as deter-
mined by the U.S. department of labor. That just means they have to pay
you a certain amount of money each year as defined by the government.

How Long Does it Take?

You should receive your H-1B visa around 4-8 weeks from the date you
submitted your application. Double check this with your lawyer — in
some cases this can take up to 6 months.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 36 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

How Long Can I Stay in the States?

The H-1B visa allows you to stay three years in the United States. After
that the employer can apply to extend the visa and, if approved, you can
stay another three years. According to the official documentation, you
cannot stay beyond a total of six years on this visa. But if you take trips
abroad during the six-year period, you can later “restore” the days you
traveled abroad in a future application.

Since the H-1B visa is sponsored by the company that hired you, this visa
is only valid while you hold the job you accepted at that specific compa-
ny. If you leave your job, you are entitled to a 60-days grace period where
you can do one of the following:

1. Leave the country within 60 days of your last day of work

2. Transfer to a different visa (ask your attorney what the options are)

3. Find a new job and transfer your H-1B visa

Generally, if a company decides to let you go, they are legally responsible
to cover all costs for travel back to your home country. If you quit, you
need to cover them yourself.

Can I Switch Jobs With the H-1B?

You can. Just be sure you give yourself enough time, because the tran-
sition between leaving your old job and transferring your visa to the new
one is difficult to time perfectly.

Transferring your H-1B visa is done by the new company you are planning
to work for and can take up to four weeks. It is important to know that
you should not just quit your job without thinking about your visa situa-
tion first. If you do think about leaving your job for a new one, sort out all
the visa questions with your immigration lawyer and get the process in
motion first.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 37 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Can I Freelance With the H-1B Visa?

No, you are not allowed to freelance while on an H-1B. You are only al-
lowed to legally work for the company who sponsored you as an employ-
ee and not as an independent contractor.

Can My Family Come With Me?

Your spouse and children are allowed to come with you if they apply for
the separate H-4 visa and as long as your children are below age 21. They
are not allowed to work in the U.S. unless they file for an “Employment
Authorization” or get their own work visa.

IMPORTANT: If you’ve requested a change of status because you’re ap-

plying for a different visa, or if you’re trying to transfer your H-1B visa to
another company, be careful about leaving the States during that phase.

In some cases traveling during these times, even if it’s just a visit to your
home country, might negatively affect your visa process. Always ask your
immigration lawyer first before booking any flights.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 38 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

O-1THE “EXTRAORDINARY ALIEN” VISA

QUICK FACTS:

→ AVERAGE TIME TO APPLY: 6-14 WEEKS

→ YOU NEED AWARDS, PRESS & RECOGNITION
→ FREELANCE WORK ONLY ALLOWED WITH SPECIAL O-1
→ AVERAGE LAWYER COST: $5,000-$7,000

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 39 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

The O-1 visa is probably the best but also the hardest visa to get. Gener-
ally the O-1 visa is recommended for more for senior positions because
it is not only harder to qualify, but also much more expensive. The O-1 has
multiple categories for different industries. Assuming you are a designer
or developer working in the creative industry, your category is most likely
“O-1B, Alien with Extraordinary Ability in the Field of Arts.” The O-1B is
often called the “Artist Visa.”

There is no cap on the amount of available O-1 visas and you can apply
at any time during the year. There are also two slightly different kinds of
O-1 visas: one is for working full time which requires you to work for an
employer, and one is for freelancing as long as you work with an agent.

The cost of an O-1 visa varies, but is usually between $5,000-$7,000

(lawyer cost). The time you need for the application process ranges be-
tween 4-14 weeks. This cost can be either covered by the company who
plans to hire you or by you. Talk to your potential employer to confirm who
will cover the costs. In some cases small companies ask you to pay 50%
of the cost, but ideally the company should cover it all.

How Long Can I Stay in the States?

You can stay up to three years on the O-1 and after that you have to ap-
ply again and renew your visa. The benefit compared to an H-1B visa
is that you can re-apply as many times as you want, so technically you
could probably renew your O-1 forever. However, most people eventually
switch to a EB-1 green card. The EB-1 green card allows you to stay in
the country indefinitely. You might qualify for it right away or after you’ve
had the O-1 visa for two or more years in the United States. The only
downside of the EB-1 could be the price tag and uncertainty. Applying for
it doesn’t guarantee you get one, and the EB-1 could cost you between
$10,000 - $15,000, which is not an easy investment for everyone.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 40 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Can My Family Come With Me?

Your spouse and kids (as long your kids are below 21) may be eligible to
apply for an O-3 visa which allows them to come with you. However, they
are NOT allowed to work in the United States; they’re only allowed to live
with you or attend school. If your spouse is planning to work as well, your
partner needs to apply for their own work visa.

Can I Freelance With the Regular O-1 Visa?

If you’ve applied through a company that is planning to hire you, you are
NOT allowed to freelance on the side. You are only allowed to freelance
if you’ve applied for the special O-1 that lets you freelance through an
agent contract (more on this in a moment). If you’re seeking to freelance
and work with an agent in the United States, please talk to your immigra-
tion lawyer.

Can I Switch Jobs With the O-1 Visa?

Yes, usually you can. If that’s the case, be sure you give yourself enough
time, because the transition between leaving your old job and transfer-
ring your visa to the new one is difficult to time perfectly.

Transferring your O-1 visa is done by the new company or agent you are
planning to work for and can take several weeks. It is important to know
that you should not just quit your job without thinking about your visa
situation first. If you do think about leaving your job for a new one, sort
out all the visa questions and get the process in motion first.

O-1 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an O-1 visa you need to demonstrate that you are awesome
in several categories defined by the government. This means you need to
provide evidence of your level of achievement. Your immigration lawyer
should help you with this, but generally you will need to hit at least three
of eight categories and provide evidence in those fields. Following are
most of the requirements you need to present to qualify for an O-1 visa.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 41 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

A P P L ICAT IO N R E Q U I RE ME NTS FOR RE GU LAR FU LL-TIM E O -1

1. You Need a Full-Time Job Offer

You must have a company already offering you a job and willing to sign
your petition. We call this company your “visa sponsor.” Sponsor does
not necessarily mean they will cover the cost of the visa. Sometimes
they do, sometimes they don’t. Ask them about it.

2. Offer Letter From Your Sponsor Company

You need an official letter from your sponsor company with proof that
they are indeed planning to hire you in the United States. You simply re-
quest this offer letter from the company hiring you.

3. You must qualify in at least three of the eight

O-1 visa requirements to show your extraordi-
nary ability in a specific field.
1. Awards: Have you received a nationally or internationally recognized
prize or award for excellence in the field you are working in?

2. Membership: Are you a member of any associations which require

outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized
national or international experts (for example, Art Directors Club)?

3. Press: Is there published material in professional or major trade publi-

cations, or major media about you which relates to your work in the field?

4. Jury work: Have you participated on a panel or individually as a judge

of the work of others in the same or in a related field of specialization?

5. Special contribution: Have you made original scientific, scholarly or

business-related contributions of major significance?

6. Special publishing: Have you written scholarly articles in professional

journals or other major media?

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 42 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

7. Special achievement: Have you been employed in a critical or essen-

tial capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distin-
guished reputation?

8. Special leadership: Have you or will you command a high salary or oth-
er remuneration for your services?

Please check the full list of requirements here and ask your immigration
lawyer which three categories fit best for you.

4. Resume

You need to provide the best resume you have ever written containing
literally all your achievements, as well as formal and professional educa-
tional background.

5. Eight or More Letters of Recommendation

From Relevant People in Your Industry

You need at least eight letters written by important people in your in-
dustry stating how awesome you are. These recommendation letters
should ideally come from high-up people such as CEOs of important
companies and agencies in the United States. Recommendation let-
ters need to be signed and written on the official letterhead of these
companies. These recommendation letters are usually prepared by your
immigration lawyer.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 43 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

A P P L ICAT IO N R E Q U I RE ME NTS FOR SPE CI A L FRE E L AN CE O -1

1. Agent or Representative

To apply for the special freelance O-1, you need a single person, com-
pany or an agency who will sign your petition. Compared to the Regu-
lar O-1B, this company will help you sign the visa petition but will not
hire you full time. They basically serve as your agent, which allows you to
work for any company in the U.S. as a freelancer as long as you meet your
agent’s conditions. (Usually agents represent and manage their free-
lancers, which means the official business runs through them and they
will get a cut of your income — in most cases around 25%.)

2. Work Itinerary

You need to list specific agencies or companies that are planning to hire
you as a freelancer in the next 1-3 years. You must provide letters written
by these companies stating that they are in need of your freelance skills
in the United States. You basically need to provide proof that there are a
number of companies who will give you work within your next three years
as a freelancer in the United States.

3. Qualify in at least three of the eight O-1 visa

requirements to show your extraordinary abili-
ty in a specific field.

1. Awards: Have you received a lesser nationally or internationally recog-

nized prize or award for excellence in the field you are working in?

2. Membership: Are you a member of any associations which require

outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized
national or international experts (for example, Art Directors Club)?

3. Press: Is there published material in professional or major trade publi-

cations or major media about you which relates to your work in the field?

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 44 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

4. Jury work: Have you participated on a panel or individually as a judge

of the work of others in the same or in a related field of specialization?

5. Special contribution: Have you made original scientific, scholarly or

business-related contributions of major significance?

6. Special publishing: Have you written scholarly articles in professional

journals or other major media?

7. Special achievement: Have you been employed in a critical or essen-

tial capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distin-
guished reputation?

8. Special leadership: Have you or will you command a high salary or oth-
er remuneration for your services?

Please check the full list of requirements here and also ask your immi-
gration lawyer which three categories fit best for you.

5. Resume

You need to provide the best resume you have ever written containing
literally all your achievements, as well as professional and educational
history.

8. Eight or More Letters of Recommendation

From Relevant People in Your Industry

You need 10 letters written by important people in your industry stating

how awesome you are. These recommendation letters should ideally
come from high-up people such as CEOs of important companies and
agencies in the United States. Recommendation letters need to be
signed and written on the official letterhead of these companies. These
recommendation letters are usually prepared by your attorney.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 45 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

How Long Does it Take to Get an O-1 Visa?

The process will be guided by your immigration lawyer, but ideally you
can expect an average of eight weeks, although it could take longer
depending on your case. It’s always good to have a goal in mind, so be
sure to set a strict deadline before starting. Here’s what that time could
look like:

Week 1-4

Collect all required documents and information as described above,

including agreements from people providing your reference letters. This
should not take you more than four weeks but I’d plan on at least that
long; it’s a lot of work and communication with your attorney. They will
tell you when you have collected enough evidence. The biggest variable
here is the waiting time to gather all the reference letters from your
contacts.

Week 5-6

Your attorney needs about 2-3 weeks or more to prepare your visa peti-
tion and summarize the information you provided. During this time your
attorney might ask for more evidence, so be responsive and prepared.
Check in with your attorney on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Week 7-8+

Your attorney will submit your petition to the government to await

approval or denial. It’s hard to predict how long you need to wait for
an answer, but generally it’s around 10-30 days. You can pay a special
“express fee” of $1,000 to speed up the process, which means you will
hear back from the government within 10 days guaranteed. If you don’t
like sitting in the dark waiting, I recommend paying the express fee
(double check with your attorney) when you submit your petition.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 46 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

E-2
& EB-5
THE “INVESTOR” VISAS

QUICK FACTS:

→ ONLY FOR BUSINESS OWNERS & FOUNDERS

→ YOU NEED TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT
→ TAKES UP TO 3-4 MONTHS TO APPLY

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 47 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

The E-2 and the EB-5 visas are very different from the other visas we’ve
discussed in this book so far. These two visas are primarily for serious
business owners wanting to invest a large chunk of money in the United
States. The E-2 and EB-5 visas are NOT meant for single freelancers.

Ignore this part of the book unless you’re planning on relocating or

opening a bigger business in the States.

If you are already running a business in your native country and you want
to relocate it to the United States, this is the way to go. It’s also possible
to bootstrap a brand new company or buy an existing one under these
visas. There are no caps on these visas and you can apply at any time.

The funny story is, I had this chapter all written up but after discussing it
with multiple immigration lawyers, we decided to drop most of it. The E-2
and the EB-5 visas are just too dependent on edge cases and anything I
would write in this book wouldn’t fully apply. If you think you might qualify
for the E-2 or the EB-5 visa, talk to your immigration lawyer.

Simply put: The E-2 or EB-5 visas are only for those who are considering
moving their company and are willing to spend anywhere from $30,000
- $100,000 (or even more) in the process. For details please check the
links below.

→ Understanding the E-2 visa

→ Understanding the EB-5 visa

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 48 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

L-1
THE “TRANSFER” VISA

QUICK FACTS:

→ FOR TRANSFERRING LOCATIONS WITHIN A COMPANY

→ TIME TO APPLY: 3-6 MONTHS
→ YOU CAN WORK IN THE U.S. UP TO 7 YEARS

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 49 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

The L-1 visa is also called an “intracompany transferee” visa. If you are a
manager, an executive or a person with “specialized knowledge” seek-
ing to move to the U.S. within an international company, you might qualify
for an L-1 visa.

Translation: If you’re currently working full time at a company that also

has an office in New York or is seeking to open an office, you could get
the L-1 visa. This visa allows you to “transfer” to the United States while
still working for the same company. (This means you cannot freelance,
obviously.)

How to Get an L-1 Visa

First, you need to prove that you’re an important employee for the com-
pany. The higher up you are as a manager or executive, the easier it will
be to file your application. You also need to have worked for that compa-
ny for at least one year abroad within the past three years.

You’re allowed to stay a maximum of five years in the U.S. on an L-1 visa
if you fall into the “specialized knowledge” category. If you’re an exec-
utive or manager, this could be extended to seven years. But this really
depends on your personal situation; please ask your immigration lawyer
for details.

The L-1 application process is usually run through your company, so talk
to your employer to see if it’s an option for you.

BONUS: One of the nice things about the L-1 visa is that your spouse is
allowed to come with you, and once in the United States, she/he can
apply for an employment authorization card.

For more information on the L-1 visa, visit this website.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 50 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Immigration
Lawyers

Finding the right attorney is one of the important aspects of applying for
a visa. I suggest asking a friend for their recommendation first. Try to get
a personal introduction to their attorney; this is usually the best way to
find an attorney you can trust.

However, if you’re having a hard time finding a good attorney, I have a

couple recommendations for you. All recommendations are based on ei-
ther attorneys I’ve used or attorneys my friends have used.

FYI: Your immigration lawyer can be in the United States but doesn’t
have to be. To my knowledge, many people choose an immigration law-
yer based in the United States because they’re more familiar with U.S.
legal procedures.

Be wary of scams and follow instructions on this site.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 51 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

IMPORTANT: I DO NOT KNOW ALL OF THESE ATTORNEYS! They are select-

ed recommendations from friends, and friends of friends. Please reach
out to them at your own risk and just say that you received their contact
information through an anonymous friend.

PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THESE CONTACTS WITH ANYONE ELSE!

They are meant only for readers of this book.

Angel Feng Hervé N. Linder

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Ernst & Linder LLC
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Attorneys at Law

One Financial Center 17 Battery Place, Suite 1307

Boston, MA 02111 New York, NY 10004
Direct: 617-348-1866 Phone: +1-212-488-1710
Fax: 617-542-2241 Direct: +1-212-488-1672
[email protected] Fax: +1-212- 488-1667
www.mintz.com [email protected]
www.el-law.com
_
Susan Cohen _
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Ceridwen J. Koski
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Ogletree, Deakins, Nash,
Smoak & Stewart, P.C
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111 Wells Fargo Center
Direct: (617) 348-4468 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 4650
Fax: (617) 542-2241 Denver, CO 80203
[email protected] Phone: 303-764-6823
www.mintz.com [email protected]
www.ogletreedeakins.com

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 52 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

Chapter Summary IMPORTANT

→ You must work with an immigration law- Please don’t forget: Visas and related le-
yer on your visa application. There is abso- gal information is subject to change.
lutely no way around this.
Especially since the new presidency in
→ You should have a job lined up BEFORE 2017, it is unclear when and how visa re-
you apply for a visa. Apply after receiving quirements will change.
your offer letter with the help of your law-
yer and ideally through your employer. While the information discussed in this
chapter provides a good overview, please
→ If you want to live permanently in the always ask your lawyer for current infor-
United States, make this VERY clear to your mation.
lawyer.
Please also check the official USCIS web-
→ Remember: No matter which visa you site for any further information around
are on or how long you plan to stay, you will U.S. visas.
always be a temporary visitor and “non-
immigrant” in the United States. The lan-
guage you use when talking about your-
self and your stay is extremely important.

→ Think about your long-term plan when

choosing a visa. The visa you have now
could affect the jobs and visas you qualify
for later.

→ Be thorough, responsive and kind while

working through the visa application
process. Worrying helps nobody!

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 3 — 53 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
GET A VISA

And don’t forget, everything will be awesome.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 4 — 54 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

Step 4
Moving to
New York City
Moving to New York is a pain that these costs are always changing. I
suggest talking to a couple friends in New
in the ass and probably one
York for their feedback right before you
of the least enjoyable things move to get a current pulse on the city.
I have ever done. Admittedly, The information I will share with you is a
moving isn’t one of my favor- good baseline, and you can expect num-
ite things to do anyway. bers to go up in the future.

This chapter was written based on the

For those of you coming from a big city, the latest information available in December
following chapter won’t surprise you too 2016, but I will keep it as broad as I can.
much. But if you’re coming from a smaller
city or even a village, moving to New York P.S. We will focus mainly on renting a
will be one of the most unique experienc- space in New York, not buying. If I wrote
es of your life. about buying a house, this book would
probably explode.
In this rather short chapter we look at the
best times to move to New York and re-
view the estimated costs of living in the Inside This Chapter
city that never sleeps. Please be aware
→ The best time to move to New York
→ How to calculate your estimated cost of
living in New York
→ Neighborhoods & estimated rent costs

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 4 — 55 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

The Best Time to Move to NYC

Moving feels inconvenient no matter when you do it. But when it comes
to moving to New York, there is a time frame called the “Golden Period.”
That time frame is usually November to January.

While it might be one of the most exhausting times to move, winter is

the best time to relocate to New York from a financial and logistical per-
spective.

This is true for several reasons. First, most people are not willing to move
in or out during the winter. While this means fewer apartments will be on
the market, it also means fewer people are looking for one, giving you
less competition. And if there is one thing you can prepare yourself for in
New York, it’s competition — on every level.

On top of it, landlords are usually more willing to negotiate prices while
there are fewer people interested in their apartments. I assume land-
lords just want to go back home and watch Game of Thrones in the win-
ter, rather than being outside showing hundreds of people their empty
apartment.

Summer is the exact opposite. People are motivated to make big life de-
cisions and the weather is convenient for moving into a new place. Thou-
sands of students have finished their studies and are rushing to New
York for their final internships, looking for cheap apartments. This is not
your ideal time to move.

Look for an apartment the first or the last week of the month during that
Golden Period. The worst time to look for an apartment is in the middle of
the month; the good stuff is gone by that time, or just not available yet.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 4 — 56 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

Calculating Your Cost of Living

Before we dive into the details of finding an actual apartment in the next
chapter, let’s calculate the cost of living in New York to get a sense of
how much money you will need.

Calculating your cost of living depends on where you are currently living,
what your expectations are and how much money you are planning to
earn in New York. The salary range for all industries varies greatly in New
York depending on your experience, but knowing your cost of living will
give you a baseline when employers ask for your desired salary.

To get a better sense of what I could afford when I moved to New York, I
first sat down and calculated my current monthly cost of living based on
the city I lived in at the time (Graz, in Austria). This doesn’t have to be all
that detailed, but here is what I put into a spreadsheet:

Rent: $520 (Base cost for apartment)

Utilities: $200 (Internet, gas, electricity)
Food: $800 (Groceries and dining)
Medical Care: $500 (This might be covered by your employer.)
Transportation: $100 (Bike and public transportation)
Entertainment: $300 (Drinks, going out)
Other: $300 (Clothing, magazines, other random stuff)

My monthly cost of living in the city of Graz: $2,720

This is how much money I spent every month, after tax. But we both know
we could always lower our living standards if needed.

Once you know your current cost of living, you can compare it with the
average cost of living in New York. The easiest way to do this is with a
website called Numbeo. You simply enter the city you currently live in and
enter New York, and it will compare the cities down to the smallest detail.
The numbers will of course be more shocking if you’re currently living in
a small town, but you won’t be surprised if you’re coming from a bigger
city such as London.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 4 — 57 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

So, for example: If I’m currently spending $2,720 a month in Graz, I

would spend around $6,500 a month in New York to maintain the same
standard of living.

This is based on the following assumption (Source - Numbeo):

→ Consumer prices in NYC are currently 65.80% higher than in Graz

→ Rent prices in NYC are currently 376.13% higher than in Graz
→ Restaurant prices in NYC are currently 71.06% higher than in Graz
→ Groceries prices in NYC are currently 104.77% higher than in Graz

I learned that I at least need to double every number from my hometown

expenses and have another close look at the rent prices, which were
nearly four times higher in New York than my current city.

I decided to lower my expected living standards and estimated my

minimum New York cost of living to be somewhere around $4,000 per
month. I roughly estimated $2,500 for rent and utilities, and $1,500 for
food, clothing, transportation and everything else.

Looking at my future yearly income, I would need to make a minimum of

about $48,000 (after taxes, which averages 35% max within the state
of New York City).

However, I know many people who made much less than that their
first year living in the New York. I have some friends who earn around
$20,000 a year and still make it. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend any-
one doing this for long. It all depends on your living standards and the
opportunities available to you.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 4 — 58 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

Reality vs. Best Case

Since I moved to New York City, I’ve heard of two different ways to ap-
proach your rent budget. The first is the reality for many people, so don’t
be surprised if it works out this way for you. The second is the best case
scenario, if you were to do it the ideal way.

Reality
People pay around 40-50% of their yearly income on housing in New
York, according to reports. This is the maximum, so make sure you never
sign an apartment that costs more than 40% of your monthly salary. If
you do choose to pay more than 40%, prepare to adjust your living stan-
dards (in most cases this applies to students who just got out of school).

Best Case
There is something called the “40x rule.” It means that your yearly salary
should be 40 times the amount you pay for rent.

For example: If you are looking at a place that costs $2,000 a month, you
should aim for a yearly salary of $80,000 to live a good life in New York.
And the other way around: If you make $50,000 a year, your ideal apart-
ment should cost no more than $1,250 a month.

IMPORTANT: In New York it is common for landlords to ask for your bank
statements and yearly salary (more on this in Chapter 5). Many of them
calculate your yearly salary against the 40x rule to make sure you won’t
struggle to pay rent. If you make too little money in their opinion, they
might not give you the apartment.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC — 59 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

True Talk with Tobias

While I was gathering input for this book, many
people asked questions related to salary or compen-
sation —
­­specifically how much they should ask for.

I wish I could include more helpful details about

this topic, but it’s almost impossible to give ac-
curate advice without knowing what role you’re ap-
plying for or anything about your skill set. And as
I mentioned earlier, I’ve personally met people in
New York who make completely different salaries but
still manage to live in the same city. Of course you
want to avoid getting underpaid, and at the same
time you might be careful to not ask for too much.

My advice is: Decide on a comfortable number. Ev-

eryone has a number that is not too little but
not too much. What is your number? With the cost
calculation strategies we’ve discussed in this
chapter, you can easily determine how much you need
to live.

When I first moved to New York I wasn’t focusing on

the $$$ at all. Some might say this is bad advice,
but my goal was just to move to New York, get a job,
get whatever fucking apartment fits a bed and go
from there. You can always move later once you get
more familiar with the city.

Of course, your salary and living needs depend on

your experience and if you’re moving with a family.
If your main motivation is to live and work in
NYC, you might not get too focused on making big
money. Make sure you can make ends meet, live
comfortably enough and then go from there.
=)

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC — 60 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

Numbers by zumper.com
NYC CHAPTER 4 — 61 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

Neighborhoods and Average Rent Costs

First, let’s look at the average rent price for an apartment. Currently, the
average rent price for a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan is around
$3,500, which makes it the second-most expensive city in the United
States, right after San Francisco. Popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn
such as Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Dumbo or Brooklyn Heights average
about the same price, if not higher.

Of course, the $3,500 price tag is just an average based on the data.
Based on my personal experience, you can find something cheaper. But
you should plan for at least $2,500 for a one-bedroom apartment. If that
apartment turns out to be nice, you can call yourself lucky.

To the left is an infographic with the average rent prices in currently pop-
ular NYC neighborhoods. These prices are for one-bedroom apartments.
Studio apartments are typically a little cheaper. When I moved to New
York I thought studio apartments were something amazing because it
sounds so fancy; in reality it’s like a one-bedroom, just without the bed-
room. It’s one room that has everything in it — your sleeping area, kitch-
en, everything. Less charming than I pictured.

Another option is to rent a room in a shared apartment which will still

cost you around $1,300 and in some cases closer to $2,000. And yes,
that’s just one room in a shared apartment.

I assume you will choose your neighborhood based on what you can ac-
tually afford. It’s a nice, romantic dream to think you can live in SoHo,
Greenwich Village or Tribeca. But in reality, unless you’re rich, you proba-
bly won’t be able to live there right now. The same goes for fancy neigh-
borhoods in Brooklyn, such as Dumbo or Vinegar Hill. All of them are well
above the $3,600 mark on average for a one-bedroom apartment.

If you’re interested in living in a hip and upcoming neighborhood with-

out spending too much money, take a look at places in Brooklyn like

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 4 — 62 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
COST OF LIVING

Williamsburg (average $3,000), Greenpoint (average $2,540) or even

Bushwick (average $2,260).

In Manhattan, the East Village (average $2,875) and Lower East Side
(average $2,600) are still two of the more affordable neighborhoods. Ev-
erything else is either far outside the city or well above the $3,000 mark
on average.

PRO TIP: Don’t be too picky with your first apartment. Chances are high
that you will be moving out of it pretty soon.

Also, if you work in Manhattan, try to be as close to Manhattan as possi-

ble. You can save a lot of money living somewhere deep in Brooklyn or
New Jersey, but you might ruin your NYC experience doing it, especially
within your first one or two years in New York. Calculate a little more for
your rent so you can live closer to your job and friends. If you find an
apartment $200 cheaper somewhere deep in Brooklyn, you will pay this
$200 commuting back and forth anyway.

Pay a bit more for your rent and enjoy being closer to your job, your
friends, museums and other great experiences. Don’t make the mistake
of living too far away from the action, because you will miss the best
parts of New York.

Chapter Summary
→ Avoid the summer; the best time to find an apartment in New York is
between November and January.

→ Look for an apartment either at the beginning or the end of the month.

→ Be prepared to lower your standard of living.

→ Try to be close to your work and friends. It’s worth it.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC — 63 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

Numbers by zumper.com
NYC CHAPTER 5 — 64 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

Step 5
Finding Your
Dream Apartment
Finding an apartment in New I’ve already mentioned that rent is higher
in New York than anywhere else. Even if
York can be a challenge.
you do find an apartment within your bud-
It ultimately comes down to get, that doesn’t mean it’s good or that
how well you’re connected or you qualify for it. In this chapter I’ll share a
how much luck you have. few tips and tricks that will help you more
efficiently find your space.

I’ve moved six times in the last

Based on the last chapter, you now have
five years and I know from a couple neighborhoods at the top of your
talking to friends that this is list and know how much money you can
fairly typical. spend. With this in mind, let’s begin.

Inside This Chapter

→ Should you use a broker?
→ How to efficiently search online
→ Scheduling/preparing for appointments
→ Inspecting the apartment
→ How to avoid scams

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 65 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

Optional: Using a Broker

I’ve personally never used a broker and know few people who have. Gen-
erally, it’s good to use a broker if you are busy and have enough money
to pay for someone to help you. One benefit is that you might get access
to apartment listings that are not listed anywhere else. On the downside,
you first have to find a reliable broker, and those are expensive.

A broker will likely charge at least 15% of your yearly rent. For example,
if your rent ends up being $2,500 a month ($30,000 a year), the broker
fee would be a $4,500 one-time payment on top. Also, don’t forget that
most landlords charge 1-2 monthly payments in advance. With a broker,
that will put you at around $9,500 that you have to pay right away when
signing the apartment. Not everyone can afford that.

In most cases a broker is not worth the hassle. My recommendation:

Don’t use one, unless you can really afford a good one.

Here are the steps I suggest taking instead.

Use Social Media

The best apartments are always the ones recommended by a friend or
friend of a friend. So before you start searching manually, take advantage
of your existing network. Go to Facebook and post a status update asking
your friends for help. Don’t post something like “Hey, looking for apart-
ment in New York. Please help.” No one is interested in answering that.
Be brief, but more specific.

For example, write something like:

“Hi, I’m looking for a one-bedroom apartment or single room in New York.
Preferred neighborhood would be XYZ, my budget is max. $2,500 and
ideal move-in date would be 12/12/16. Please share this message and
email me with any information at [email protected].”

When posting on Facebook, be as specific as you can. Try to keep this

message up and re-post if needed every 2-3 weeks.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 66 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

OPTIONAL: There are a couple “apartment hunting” groups on Facebook.

It’s hard to find quality ones, but I recommend joining some of them (you
can easily find them via the Facebook search because they come and
go). Ask every friend you have in New York if they’re part of an apartment
hunting group on Facebook, and request they invite you to it.

Sign Up to the Listings Project

After you’ve posted on Facebook, sign up to the weekly Listings Project
email list. You will receive a new email every Wednesday morning with
fresh apartment and studio listings. Read through them as quickly as you
can on Wednesday morning as most of them are gone within minutes.
This email list used to be smaller and less known but has grown in the
last couple years. If you find something, move fast.

Search via Craigslist

Now that you’ve sent the word out to friends and signed up for your
important weekly email, let’s get into the details of manually finding an
apartment.

Still the most-used platform is Craigslist, even though it is a pain in the

ass to use. I can promise you, there are always some treasures hidden
here and with a few tricks we can make it work.

You just need to be systematic about it. Randomly browsing Craigslist

won’t get you results. There are hundreds of new postings every day, and
the site is full of scam posts.

First, filter your search results to exactly what you need. For example:

→ Select ideal neighborhood

→ Select your price range
→ Select only listings with pictures
→ Select only listings without broker

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 67 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

After you do this, you can create an IFTTT automation that sends you
an email reminder every time a new apartment is available that fits your
requirements. You’re basically creating your own automation script that
keeps you updated with quality Craigslist postings, and you don’t even
have to browse the page.

To keep it all organized, create a folder/tag in your email account and

have emails from Craigslist go straight in there.

BONUS TIP: In your free time I recommend using a tool called PadMap-
per, which is a slightly different and better interface than Craigslist.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 68 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

Scheduling Appointments
Good apartments in New York get dozens if not hundreds of emails and
contact requests every day. You’re not the only one looking for a good
apartment, so if you find something online, you need to act fast.

When contacting a potential landlord you should be as precise as possi-

ble to get to what you want. Here are a few additional little tips:

→ DO contact the landlord immediately through email and phone.

→ DO keep your email brief. Long emails won’t get read.
→ DO mention that you are ready to sign a lease TODAY.

→ DO provide facts about your employment that make you look good.

→ DO ask for next steps immediately (request they call you back, etc.)

→ DO provide possible times and dates for easier scheduling.

→ DON’T add any bullshit small talk or stuff that is not needed to sched-

ule the appointment. If you’re looking for a shared apartment, of course

provide some personal information that will make you look less like a se-
rial killer. If you are in fact a serial killer, maybe less information is better.

To find a good apartment, you have to look at a lot of them. Schedule as

many viewing appointments as possible and schedule them for as soon
as possible. Take a friend with you to these appointments, not only for
safety reasons but to also get a second opinion on the apartment.

Preparing for Appointments

You did it! You finally scheduled appointments and you’re ready to look
at some apartments. Generally, there are three things you should pay at-
tention to when considering apartments:

1. Landlord requirements
2. Inspecting the apartment and looking for red flags
3. Avoiding scams and bad guys

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 69 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

#1 - Landlord Requirements
Preparation is key. When you show up to an appointment, you’re usually
not the only one there. Lots of people will be viewing that same apart-
ment and decisions are often made within minutes. Landlords in New
York have high expectations, especially from people they don’t know.

If you like the apartment and you’re ready to sign the deal, most landlords
require one or more of the following:

→ Tax returns from at least the last one or two years

→ Pay stubs from at least the last 2-3 months (to prove you make money)
→ Letter from your employer stating your annual income
→ If a student, a copy of your enrollment letter and course schedule
→ Don’t look like a serial killer

As I mentioned earlier, landlords will often do a credit check on you be-

cause they want to confirm you’re able to pay the rent every month. Pa-
pers such as tax returns, pay stubs or your university enrollment letter
will provide some kind of security for landlords. Unless you’re renting
the apartment from a friend of a friend, there is nothing besides these
papers that can prove that you qualify.

PRO TIP: Make sure you have everything prepared and with you, but
don’t show it to the landlord unless they ask for it.

#2 - Inspecting the Apartment

First, you should know that apartments in New York are generally much
lower quality than what you might be used to. This is especially true if
you’re accustomed to living in cities like Vienna, Berlin or London. An
apartment that you would think is shitty in Vienna suddenly becomes
pretty attractive when in NYC. Don’t settle for shit, but adjust your expec-
tations. Otherwise you won’t find an apartment in New York.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 70 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

Here is a quick checklist for inspecting New York apartments:

→ Check for any signs of rats or mice. Mice are pretty common in New
York and love to poop all over your kitchen. Look for little pieces of mice
poop everywhere, especially around the stove in the kitchen.

→ Check the windows. Window insulation is usually pretty bad in New

York, especially with old buildings.

→ Check for any trash you can smell within the apartment and in the hall-
ways. Cockroaches and mice love that stuff, and if the hallways are full of
trash, cockroaches and mice are not far away.

→ Check for sunlight sources. Most apartments in New York are abso-
lutely shit when it comes to the amount of sunlight they get. You’re vis-
iting the apartment during a specific time, so you need to make your
own calculations on when your apartment will see some sun. Look out of
each window and see where the sun is. There is nothing worse than an
apartment that gets zero sunlight.

→ Check for placement of radiators. I’ve lived in many apartments, and

most of them had one single radiator for heating the entire place. You
would need additional space heaters in the winter to survive.

→ Walk around the block and see what else is in your building. Bars or
clubs are signs for noise and problems. A bar downstairs seems awe-
some and might remind you of “How I Met Your Mother,” but that could
get old fast. Looks fun on TV, but it will lose its charm in reality (come to
think of it, this is true for many things in New York).

→ See if your building has laundry facilities in the basement. If not, make
sure a laundry service is close by. Most apartments in New York DO NOT
have the space, nor support the plumbing to install washing machines.
That’s why most of us use laundry services in the neighborhood (unless
you’re fucking rich).

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 5 — 71 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
APARTMENT HUNT

#3 - Avoiding Scams
This is a hard one and I wish common sense could save us all. Here are
the most common tips to avoid getting scammed.

→ If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A $1,000/month, newly

renovated apartment in a fancy neighborhood? Trust me, it’s a scam.

→ NEVER agree to a place that you haven’t seen in person. NEVER!

→ NEVER pay with cash, especially upfront payments. If landlords ask

you to give them cash to cover the first couple payments, this is usually
a big red flag. Paying via check (yes, that funny piece of paper) is the
way to go.

→ Check Google with all the information you have, just to be safe. Google
the name of the landlord, the address of the building and any other de-
tails available to you.

→ NEVER wire money. Landlords who ask you to wire money via some
weird website are scamming you. Also be wary “application fees.” If
someone on Craigslist asks for a $100 application fee, it’s a scam! Never
pay via Western Union, Paypal, etc.

→ Be wary if your contact replies with unusually bad English or strange

behavior.

→ If it feels like your contact is trying to pressure you, take caution. No

one with a good apartment in New York is going to push you to a deci-
sion; they have plenty of other options immediately available to them. If
they pressure you, let it go. It’s most likely a scam.

→ ALWAYS meet the landlord in public and in a safe place (coffee shop
nearby, perhaps) and ideally bring a friend. Don’t go alone.

Chapter Summary
→ Use your network and automate searches
→ Be prepared for landlord requirements
→ Create an inspection checklist, avoid scams and stay safe!
Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580
NYC CHAPTER 6 — 72 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Step 6
Setting Up
the Essentials
You did it! You finally moved The following chapter goes into the de-
tails of setting up your stuff in New York.
to New York and nothing
To officially begin your life in the United
can stop you now. If you’re States, there are some important things to
reading this chapter, it’s safe sort out such as taxes, setting up a social
to assume that you are now security number and even choosing your
living legally in New York bank. I hope all your tiny little questions
will be answered in this chapter.
City. That means you have
your temporary work visa and
Inside This Chapter
you’ve found a place to stay, at
least for the time being. → Getting a social security number
→ Opening a bank account
→ Applying for a credit card and
It’s also safe to assume you are a little understanding credit score
overwhelmed with this big new city and → Getting your New York ID
your new job. I remember the feeling. → Understanding health care and benefits
There were so many little questions I had → Choosing your transportation method
to answer for myself when I first moved → Setting up your apartment
here.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 73 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Required: Get Your Social Security Number

This is a must! As soon as you’ve arrived in the city, you need to apply for
a social security number (SSN) and card. Your SSN is a nine-digit number
that is unique to you. It is required to get a job, get social security ben-
efits and a range of other things. For example, opening a bank account
is not possible without a social security number. There is simply no way
around it — you will need a social security number to begin your life in
the United States.

To apply for a social security number, you need these documents:

→ A completed and printed Social Security Card form (Form SS-5)

→ Your passport (including a copy of it)
→ Your I-94 form (You can get it here)
→ Your birth certificate (including a copy of it)

Once you have all of the documents, visit the Social Security Office web-
site, enter your ZIP code and find the office nearest to you. Go to that
address and the rest is easy. They will ask you for all your documents, and
after a short interview you will be told that your new social security card
will be on its way via snail mail within the next 1-2 weeks.

IMPORTANT: Never give away your social security number, especially on-
line. Also, never ever carry your social security card with you. This num-
ber is extremely sensitive information; if the wrong person gets it, they
can steal your identity. Once you have the card, hide it with other import-
ant papers at home. Only in rare exceptions do you need to provide your
social security number to someone else, such as your new employer or
your bank when trying to apply for a credit card. Otherwise, never give
away your SSN number, and ALWAYS ask why someone would need it if
they request it.

For everything else related to social security, please go here.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 74 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

REQUIRED: Open a Bank Account

Obviously, you will need a bank account in New York. Your employer will
request this information soon after hiring you. So one of the first things
you should do after receiving your SSN is get your bank account set up.
There are many different banks in New York and most of them offer more
or less the same products. Ultimately, your decision will come down to
fees and customer service.

What do I need to open a bank account?

→ Your passport and SSN for identification

→ If you’re a student, an enrollment letter from your university
→ A credit card or debit card from your previous bank
→ Proof of address in the U.S. (a utility bill, for example)

Which banks are best?

After doing research and talking to many friends about their experience,
Chase Bank is a clear winner, at least for me. A couple reasons why:
Chase has the best coverage when it comes to ATM locations. There is a
Chase ATM at almost every corner in Manhattan, and even in many Duane
Reade shops (New York City pharmacies). This is important because you
pay a fee if you use an ATM that is not owned by your bank.

Chase offers simple bank accounts (they call it a “checking account”)

which you can compare here. If you keep your balance above $1,500 or
have direct deposits totaling $500 every month, your bank account is
essentially free – unless you’re doing complicated things like sending
money to other countries.

Chase has the best mobile apps and online banking interface. It’s a joy to

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 75 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

use. This is one of the big reasons why I like Chase so much for both my
private and business accounts.

Chase also has one of the best credit card offerings in the industry. The
Chase Sapphire card, for example, is one of the best travel and reward
cards currently on the market (more on credit cards later in the chapter).

PRO TIP: Most people, especially Americans, might say that you should
choose an online bank and not bother going to a bank in person because
the future is online. I disagree with that. The best thing you can do is find
a good branch, then find a person you like there and build a relationship
with them.

I did this soon after my move here and I can’t overstate how much better
my relationship is with my bank. I have a personal banker who helps me
with every question and even became a friend of mine. All you need to do
is find that one person (maybe by a recommendation from a friend) and
go chat with them at the bank. Be friendly, ask questions and enjoy the
personal connection.

An fully-online bank might be convenient, but good customer support

and a personal banker makes all the difference, especially when applying
for special credit cards.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 76 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

RECOMMENDED: Get Your First Credit Card

Getting your first credit card in the United States is slightly difficult, but
as soon as you score your first, dozens of other credit card companies
will spam you with their offerings.

Difference between a debit and a credit card

First, you need to know that credit cards work differently in the Unit-
ed States compared to European countries, for example. In the United
States, the regular debit card you get with your checking account can
be used almost like a credit card when it comes to online payments. As
long as you have the money in your account, you can use your debit card
number online to purchase stuff like you would with a credit card. A lot
of merchants even allow you to swipe your debit card and sign without
entering a pin code.

So why do I need a credit card then?

Great question. Your debit card is powerful and you can easily use that
day to day. But there are four reasons people get credit cards, and two of
them are valuable enough reasons for you to get one.

Reason 1:

A credit card protects you more than a debit card if you are a victim of
fraud. If you’re using a normal debit card and you get hacked, the money
is immediately subtracted from your account, which of course is annoy-
ing. With a credit card, you’re protected against fraud and payments are
easier to revert.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 77 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Reason 2:

Most American credit cards have a reward point system that is just too
good to pass up. For example, with the Chase Sapphire card you get
points back for every dollar you spend on things like food or travel. So
if at end of the year you have collected 50,000 points, that equals $600
cash back or a free flight back home. One of the main reasons to have a
credit card is simply to use it for the rewards.

Reason 3:

Building up your credit score in the U.S. is important (I’ll explain credit
score in a moment). Most people who move to the U.S. have a credit
score of zero because they’ve never owned a credit card or built credit
through a bank. But your credit score might come in handy at some point
when you’re trying to make a bigger purchase. So depending on your
future plans, it will benefit you to start building up your credit score as
quickly as possible.

Reason 4:

A credit card gives you the opportunity to spend more money than you
have. The reason I mention this as the last benefit is because in an ideal
world, you should never spend more money than you actually have in
your bank account. Interest rates for credit card companies are high,
meaning you’ll end up spending much more than you originally borrowed
when you finally pay off your debt. It’s easy to get in the habit of spending
more than you have with a credit card, but it’s a trap — avoid it if you can.

How to Apply for a Credit Card

This depends on a lot of different factors, but generally it comes down
to which bank you choose, how much money you make, and your credit
score.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 78 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Like I mentioned, it’s often difficult for people to get a credit card right
after moving here. But my advice is: After you’ve already lived in New
York for three or more months, go to your bank and ask for the lowest
credit card they have. If you’re already friends with your bank person,
they might approve your request or put in a “Special Consideration”
if they see that you make enough money (they’ll need to know your
monthly income and projected salary for the year).

P.S. My bank (Chase) sometimes lets me send referral offers to friends

that might help with the credit card application. If you’re interested,
please hit me up at @vanschneider on Twitter or send an email to
[email protected] so I can send you the referral link.

Credit Score Explained

In the United States, the world of loans and credit operates around your
credit score, so it’s important that you know how this works.

Your credit score tells companies if they can trust you to pay back the
money you’re borrowing from them. People will check your credit score
when you’re applying for an apartment, a car, a loan — basically any big
purchase or commitment that requires you to borrow money or pay in
installments. As I mentioned, you often even need a good credit score
to get a credit card.

If you have a bad history paying off debts or paying them late, your credit
score will go down, companies will know it’s not safe to lend money to
you and they’ll deny your application. If you have a good credit score,
you’ll be approved to borrow money.

The standard credit scoring system in the U.S. is the FICO score. Your
FICO score will be between 300 (bad) and 850 (good). If you’ve never
lived in the United States, you probably don’t have a credit score at all,
and will need to work on building it.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 79 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

How to Build Your Credit Score

You have to start somewhere, even if it’s at zero. Here are a few ways you
can start building credit after you move to the States:

→ Get a Secured Credit Card. You can build good credit by getting this
special kind of credit card, which is specifically made for this purpose.
It requires you to make a deposit, which the company holds onto in case
you don’t pay your bills. Eventually, once you’ve built your credit, you
close the card, apply for an Unsecured Credit Card and get your deposit
back. Talk to your banker to see if this is an option for you.

→ Get a co-signer on a loan. If you have a family member or significant

other in the United States who has good credit and is willing to co-sign
your loan, you can slowly build credit by paying off that loan.

→ Get authorized on someone else’s credit card. Again, this requires a

family member or significant other to vouch for you. It’s not an ideal way
to build credit because it makes someone else responsible for your debt,
and has a smaller effect on your credit score.

→ Get credit for your rent payments. If you’re already renting an apart-
ment, work with a rent-reporting service like Rental Kharma or RentTrack
to put your rent payments on your credit report. Just be sure to pay on
time.

IMPORTANT: Always pay your bills (especially credit card bills, if you have
one) on time or early. Late payments will quickly bring down your credit
score. Keeping up your credit score is an ongoing commitment. As long
as you pay bills on time, you’ll be fine.

If you need more information about credit score, simply ask your personal
banker or read this.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 80 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

OPTIONAL: Get Your New York ID

While this is an optional step, I still highly recommend it. It’s almost im-
possible to get into a bar in New York without a legal ID, since drinking
isn’t allowed below the age of 21. Of course you can use your passport
or your driver’s license, but it’s risky to carry your passport with you at all
times since it now contains your visa papers.

The New York State ID is a simple card that is accepted as an official form
of identification in NYC. The NYC ID also gives you tons of discounts on
New York museums, gyms, libraries and a lot more.

How to Apply for an NYC ID:

1. Provide all the required documents. Use this document calculator to

see exactly what documents you need.

2. Fill out the application form, which you can find here.

3. Find an enrollment center close to you — here is a list.

4. Make an appointment online right here.

Then show up, and you’re done! If you need more help, you can find ev-
erything on the NYC ID website.

REQUIRED: Set Up Your Mobile Phone

You will need a phone, there is no way around it. The best thing about
phone contracts now is that they’re fairly easy to cancel if you don’t like
the service. Most service providers in the United States do not require
you to sign up for a 2-year contract anymore.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 81 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon offer pre-paid, month-to-

month payment plans. As I write this sentence some of these plans have
already changed, so it’s impossible for me to go into much detail. But
please consider the following:

Ask your company first

Ask the company you’re working for if they cover your phone bills. Most
big companies (at least tech companies) give their employees a free
phone including free contract.

Compare providers and plans

Compare phone plans based on what you will do most with them. If you
rarely call anyone and use your mobile internet most, pick a plan with
unlimited data. I’ve used Verizon, AT&T to T-Mobile so far. I’d say Verizon
has the best coverage and speed while AT&T has a good overall package
and usually provides family deals.

My absolute favorite so far has been T-Mobile. T-Mobile is aggressive

with its coverage and has the best plans for people who travel a lot (un-
limited everything, even data roaming for $80 a month).

My advice is to quickly check the offerings from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile

and Sprint, which are all the current leaders in the United States when it
comes to mobile plans.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 82 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

REQUIRED: Set Up Your Health Care Plan

Oh boy, I already regret talking about health care. But you are required
to have health care to live in the United States, so we have to talk about
it. Let me put it this way: Even Americans don’t understand their own
health care system, so don’t feel bad about not understanding it either.
This chapter isn’t aiming to explain the whole health care system, but
rather give you an overview so you can take it from here.

How does health care work in the United States?

Well, the funny part is, it doesn’t really. At least not compared to most
European countries where everyone can enjoy a basic health care plan.
But don’t worry, I will do my best to explain the basics.

At the end of every year (usually from November 1 to January 31) the gov-
ernment asks you to choose (or enroll, as they say) in a health care plan.
You will stick to this plan for one year until you either pick a new plan or
let it automatically renew at the end of the year.

It’s important to mention that “health care plan” in the United States
usually means only your regular medical stuff, not including dental or vi-
sion. If you want vision insurance (if you wear glasses or contacts) or
dental insurance you need to apply for separate plans. Sometimes they
are provided by the same companies, but often they are not.

I know this is confusing, especially for people who are from Europe
where everything is included. But in the United States, you need at least
a health care and a dental plan.

Whether you work full time or freelance, you’ll be involved in choosing a

health care plan more actively than you might like.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 83 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Health Insurance Covered by Your Employer

If you’re working full time with any company (regardless of your work
visa) your company in almost every case provides your health care in-
surance plan. They will not only pay for it, but also give you pre-selected
options for insurance companies. The easiest way to find out about this
is to talk with your HR department or a representative of your company.

Usually your HR department understands everything you need to know,

so if you work full time and your company has their shit together, you
don’t need to worry much about your insurance.

However, if your employer hasn’t already answered these questions, be

prepared to ask them as soon as you can:

→ What kind of insurance do you offer? (Get details about plans)

→ Is my family covered? (If you’re married and/or have kids)
→ When does the coverage begin? (Usually this can take 1-2 months)
→ Does my plan cover pre-existing medical conditions?
→ How much do I have to pay myself? (For doctor visits, drugs etc.)
→ What’s the annual deductible? Any out-of-pocket expenses?
→ Anything else I need to know?

For more information on this topic, go here.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 84 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

IMPORTANT: Your 401(k) Plan

Most companies automatically enroll you in a 401(k) retirement plan. A
401(k) isn’t required, but it’s a smart way to save for the future. To opt-
out of the 401(k) you need to let your new employer know immediately
after signing your contract.

What is a 401(k) plan?

Most big companies offer a 401(k) plan as part of their benefits package.
Simply put, it’s a popular retirement plan that lets you (the employee) set
a certain amount of money aside every month that has potential to grow.
Usually these payments are done pre-tax, which is one of the incentives.

How does the 401(k) plan work?

Let’s say you make $100,000 a year and you agreed on putting 3% of
that into your 401(k). That would mean $3,000 goes straight to your re-
tirement plan every year. Now, the cool thing is that many companies
offer “matching,” which means that they match your payments up to a
certain amount.

So for example, if you put in $3,000 every year, the company would
match exactly that and put in $3,000 as well. That will give you $6,000
in total savings every year. Be sure to ask your company if they match,
and if yes, how much they match. Most companies have a limit and only
match a certain percentage of your payments.

OK, that all sounds awesome. What’s the catch?

There are a couple things you need to know, the first one being a process
called “vesting.” When companies do you the favor of matching your
401(k), they often ask you for something in return.

Vesting basically means that the company will match your payment, but
only under the condition that you work for them for four years (or another

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 85 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

specified amount of time). If you leave the company before that, you only
get a percentage of their matching payments. For example: If you quit af-
ter two years (even though your agreement says four years) you will only
keep 50% of the money the employer put into your 401(k) account. The
money you put in is of course fully yours.

When do I get to use the money?

Your 401(k) savings are meant to be withdrawn for retirement when you
are 59½ years old. The money is yours in the meantime, but you can’t
really do anything with it right away. If you cash out early, you will have to
immediately pay income taxes on it and a 10% penalty fee.

If you quit your job, you can usually roll your retirement plan over to your
new company’s 401(k) plan. A 401(k) can typically stay with you wherever
you go, as long as you set it up properly.

But what if I leave the country?

Now this is where it starts to get a little more complicated. Theoretical-

ly you could roll your 401(k) plan into an IRA (Individual Retirement Ac-
count) in the U.S. and then transfer the IRA into a retirement plan in your
home country.

The problem is, there are so many variables and fees involved (and most
likely currency exchange rates) that I can’t even tell you if that’s a good
idea or not.

Oh c’mon, Tobias. Should I get a 401(k) plan or not?

It depends on how long you see yourself living in the U.S. and if you think
the hassle is worth the outcome. Let’s take the following scenarios as an
example.

→ Scenario 1: I plan on living in New York or the U.S. for the next 3-6

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 86 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

years, but don’t plan on staying much longer or even retiring in the Unit-
ed States. I might do a lot of job hopping (that’s normal in the industry)
and because my salary is small right now, I can’t afford to put a lot of
money into my 401(k). Also, my company doesn’t offer matching.

In this case, fuck it. I don’t think it’s worth setting up a 401(k) plan. But
that’s just my opinion and you might ask a professional advisor. In any
case, you should be thinking about putting money aside or investing it
in something else.

→ Scenario 2: I plan on living in the States for at least 10-15 years. I’m
making a good amount of money and my employer is matching my 401(k)
payments. I’m also trying to do less job hopping, and if I do, only at big
companies with good matching benefits. Also, I’m planning on applying
for a green card or falling in love with an American citizen so I can stay
in the country for longer than 3-6 years (that’s often the max on most
work visas).

In this case, yes, the 401(k) might be a good idea because you’re already
investing in your future in the United States, and you have a better long-
term plan than the first scenario. In any case, please ask around. Ask
your friends or coworkers for their opinion and if you can afford it, ask a
professional financial advisor.

Find out more about your standard benefits package here.

Find out more about the 401(k) plan here.

Health Insurance as a Freelancer

This section only affects you if you run your own business, which means
you’re either on a green card, a special freelance O-1 visa or an investor
visa (see Chapter 3 for more info on visas).

This is a little more difficult because you’ll have to deal with the madness
of the U.S. health care system by yourself. But since this book is about
New York, that narrows it down a bit. Let’s first clarify a few things:

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 87 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Do I need a health care plan?

Yes, you do. It’s required by law. If you don’t get health insurance you
have to pay a fine at the end of the year. Some people decide to pay the
fine instead of paying for health insurance they think they don’t need, but
that’s very risky business and can backfire (if you do get sick or injured,
the medical costs could leave you bankrupt). I recommend getting health
insurance, even if it’s just the lowest, most affordable plan.

How do you buy a health care plan?

First go to this website and enter your ZIP code. You will get a list of rele-
vant companies with their health care plan offerings.

One of the most popular health care companies for freelancers in New
York is Oscar. Oscar is a startup that tries to keep health care as simple as
possible. They also offer free, nice-to-have services like “Doctor on Call”
under all their plans. Another good option in New York is The Freelancers
Union.

What do I need to know before buying a plan?

One big deciding factor is the price. Most insurance companies offer four
different kinds of insurance: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Bronze is
usually the cheapest and worst plan, and Platinum is the best they have.
Generally, the Silver plan is the best option if you’re fairly healthy.

The insurance company you choose matters. Doctors in the United States
are part of different insurance networks, and your insurance company
will only pay for doctors within specific networks. If you just arrived in the
United States, that’s not a big problem because you don’t have any exist-
ing networks. But if your friends have already recommended some amaz-
ing doctors, you’ll want to pick an insurance plan that has these doctors
in their network. To find out which insurance network those doctors are

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 88 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

part of, just visit the doctor’s website.

If you’re a fresh freelancer in the United States, check out this article
which covers nearly every edge case scenario.

Transportation in New York

New Yorkers are famous for walking everywhere. You’ll be able to walk al-
most anywhere you need to go, especially if you’re living and working in
Manhattan. I personally don’t know anyone who owns a car in New York.
If you do, you need a very specific reason for it, and also a lot of money.
Parking in New York is nearly impossible and crazy expensive. So let’s
talk about the best alternative transportation options.

Get a MetroCard

Besides walking, most people commute via the MTA subway in New York
City. A MetroCard allows you to use any subway or bus station in the city.

A 30-day MetroCard right now costs you $116. That’s an expense of

$1,392 a year. I recommend getting one for a month to try it out. Chances
are high that you need one, especially in the beginning as you get famil-
iar with the city.

PRO TIP: Ask your employer if they cover your MetroCard costs. Big tech
startups will often do this for you. If you’re a freelancer, this is a tax-
deductible cost.

Get a Citi Bike membership

It won’t be long before you notice the blue Citi Bikes around NYC. You’re
probably familiar with how these bikes work — you pay to rent and
ride them around for a limited amount of time, then return them to any
Citi Bike location. The coverage around Manhattan and most Brooklyn
neighborhoods by the waterfront is pretty solid, which means you will

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 89 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

find them almost everywhere you need them. An annual membership

currently costs $155 (as long as you don’t keep a bike more than 45 min-
utes).

Getting to know the city by bike is the best thing you can do. Aside from
the healthy benefits of biking, you can be almost anywhere in New York
within 30-40 minutes by bike. The only downside is that biking in the
city is for the more adventurous type, since New York isn’t known as the
safest city to ride a bike. Be prepared to be part of the main street traffic,
even though most big streets in Manhattan have bike lanes.

Get your own bike

Easily the best decision I’ve never made. I haven’t taken the subway in
years because I now ride my bike everywhere. You can get a nice used
bike for $100 or less, and even a new single-speed bike won’t cost you
more than $400. But be aware of bike thieves in New York. Invest in a
good bike lock and NEVER leave your bike out on the street overnight,
even if it’s locked up. It will be gone, I promise. I’ve only had one bike
stolen so far, but it hurts, especially if it’s a nice bike.

Use Uber, Yellow Cab or other car service

The best way to cover longer distances like getting to the airport is still by
car. For quick routes in Manhattan a Yellow Cab will help, but the drivers
are often rude and don’t know where they’re going.

I personally use Uber or Lyft most of the time. Rideshare options like this
are more convenient, the cars are nicer and they promise to always be
cheaper than regular taxis. A ride to the airport in an Uber costs you about
$40 right now, while traditional yellow cabs often charge up to $80, not
including tip. The Uber Pool option guarantees you cheap rides around
places like Manhattan, usually below $10 a ride.

You can also use a “car for hire” service such as Northside, which I’ve
done several times. They’re easy to schedule in advance, have big cars

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 90 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

(for lots of luggage, if needed), accept credit cards and usually cost
around $40 for a trip to JFK or Newark airport.

Setting up Your Apartment

Your life has changed a lot in the past few months and you’ve left ev-
erything familiar behind. The least you can do is make your new space
feel more like home. Here are the basics you’ll need to take care of first.

Buying and setting up furniture

Buying and moving furniture around in New York is an exhausting, ex-

pensive and complicated undertaking. If you’re like me, you probably just
want to get it over with.

Of course, if money is not an issue, you can just hire someone to help you
move in. This might not work for the rest of us. If you’re on a budget and
just want some solid pieces to get started, your best option is IKEA (and
of course Craigslist).

Unfortunately, there is only one IKEA in the immediate New York area.
Fortunately, IKEA has tried to make it as easy as possible for you to go
there. The best way to get there is to take an IKEA Express ferry from Pier
11 in downtown Manhattan. It’s a specific ferry that only goes to IKEA,
and it’s completely free on weekends. It’s also free during the week if
you purchase something at IKEA worth $10 or more.

Keep in mind, the IKEA ferry does not allow you to transport furniture.
Their rule is that as long as it fits in your big blue IKEA bag, you can take
it with you on the ferry back home. You’ll need to have IKEA deliver big
furniture pieces to your new apartment, which they’ll usually do within a
day or two for little extra cost.

Once you have the furniture at home you can either assemble it
yourself or order a “handyman” who can help. Two services that
work very well for this are TaskRabbit or Mr. Handyman. I’ve used
them a lot because they’re affordable and you don’t need to both-
er setting up all that furniture with those maddening IKEA directions.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 91 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Some handyman services even pick up the furniture from IKEA, deliver it
to your home and then set it up. This depends on the service, so check to
see if that’s an option they provide.

If you’re into nicer, more expensive designer furniture next to your basics
from IKEA, I highly recommend the shops From The Source and Design
Within Reach. But if you’re willing to spend good money on furniture in
New York you will find enough options. New York is short of nothing if you
have expensive taste.

Setting up your apartment utilities

You will of course have to set up your utilities right after moving into your
apartment. By utilities I mean electricity, gas and internet.

Setting up electricity

First, I’d ask my landlord what the previous apartment owner used for
electricity. But chances are high they used the company Con Edison.
Signing up for Con Ed is easy. Just go to this website and you’ll be able
to set up your electricity within minutes. That’s it! Future payments will
also be done online. I’d assume your monthly bill will be around $30-70
maximum, depending on your usage.

Setting up gas

Most apartments in New York are still equipped with a stove that only
works with gas. So unless you have an electric stove, you need to set up
your gas provider. I know that Con Ed also provides gas in some regions
of New York, but I personally went with National Grid, which is the main
provider for gas in the Brooklyn area.

Setting up your gas works the same as your electricity. Just go to the
National Grid website. You will answer a couple questions, fill out some
forms and create your account online. That’s it. Payments can also be
made online. Depending on your gas usage, your monthly bill will be

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 92 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

around $15-40 (assuming you’re not a hardcore chef cooking three

times a day).

Setting up internet

Choosing your internet provider is a little more difficult because it de-

pends on the region you’re living in. Some internet companies simply
don’t offer their services deep in Brooklyn, for example.

The most important thing to know about New York internet providers is
that most of them are shit and they’re much more expensive on average
than in other countries. I personally pay $80 for a fairly slow internet
connection from Time Warner Cable that I could probably get for $20 in
Germany.

But generally, the best providers in New York are Xfinity, FIOS by Ver-
izon, Time Warner Cable/Spectrum and Optimum. Visit their websites,
check for availability in your region, then compare the prices and speed.
Even better, ask your friends or neighbors what they use and how much
they’re paying.

To set up internet, simply call the service provider of your choice. Your
provider will walk you through the steps of setting up an account, order-
ing your router and getting everything installed in your home.

PRO TIP: Check your internet bill every now and then to make sure your
rate doesnt increase. Internet providers are known to offer a lower sign-
up price, then slowly increase rates over time. If this happens, call your
provider ­— ­you can often negotiate a lower price.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 6 — 93 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE ESSENTIALS

Chapter Summary

→ Get your social security number right away. It’s legally required and you
can’t do much in the States without it.

→ Find your bank and establish a relationship with your personal banker.

→ Getting a credit card is worth it for the rewards and security, but pay it
off immediately so you don’t hurt your credit score.

→ Be an official New Yorker and get your NYC ID!

→ Health care is required in the States. Learn how it works and ask lots of
questions when choosing your plan.

→ A 401(k) is not required, but it’s a smart way to save, depending on

your situation.

→ You’ll need a MetroCard to efficiently commute in New York. Besides

the subway, walking and biking are the best ways to get around the city.

→ Get your apartment set up and make it feel like home. Utilities are easy
to set up online and IKEA is your friend.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 7 — 94 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE CITY BASICS

Step 7
Understanding
the City
In the weeks after moving to Inside This Chapter
New York, you will hopeful-
→ How tipping works in New York
ly spend more time in your → A short guide to restaurant ratings
neighborhood and get to → Grocery shopping & food ordering
know the area yourself. But → How to navigate the city
there are a few little things I
have learned over the years
that help me better navigate
the city.

These tricks should save you

some stress and spare you
from a case of food poisoning.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 7 — 95 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE CITY BASICS

How to Tip in New York

Tipping (also called gratuity) is confusing to most people who move to
the United States. Handing people extra money for their services seems
unnecessary if you don’t know much about it.

A tip is seen as optional in most countries, but in the U.S. it has become
a requirement. Of course it isn’t illegal if you decide to not tip, but it is
extremely unfriendly. Let me tell you why.

In the States, most restaurants pay their service staff below the minimum
wage (which is completely legal) because they assume that servers will
make up the difference with tips. So basically, receiving tips is the only
way a server or bartender can afford his or her life.

The reason it doesn’t work this way in other countries is because we

pay servers a proper salary, so they don’t have to rely on tips to survive.
I know, this system makes absolutely zero sense, but understanding it is
important in the United States.

How Much to Tip

Restaurants: 18-20% of your total bill is the general rule. Please be aware
of double tipping. Some restaurants, especially those in touristy areas,
automatically add a tip to the bill. So if you don’t read carefully, you might
be tipping twice as much. The same goes for dining in big groups. Most
restaurants automatically add gratuity to the bill if you’re in a group of six
or more people. In that case, you shouldn’t add an extra tip.

Taxis: Usually 15% is enough to tip. If you had an amazing experience and
the driver helped you with bags, then tip 20%.

Bartender or coffee shop: You can usually just tip $1 per drink. But
if you’re paying for, say, eight drinks at one time for friends, about $3
should be enough.

In many cases, service-oriented exchanges such as getting your hair cut

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 7 — 96 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE CITY BASICS

also come with tipping. These are people you hope to build a relation-
ship with, assuming you appreciate their services, so it’s worth tipping
well (again, 18%-20% is usually safe).

Anything else really depends on you, such as room service at hotels or

concierges. But generally those tips are between $1 and $5 on average.

I know tipping is annoying, so here are some tricks to make it easier:

The receipt will always show the tax right before the total. The tax in New
York is always 8.875%. So I usually just double the tax, then add a few
more dollars. It’s easy and requires almost no math. Just know that when
you double the tax you’re technically only tipping close to 18%, which is
why I usually add a few more dollars.

You could also take the total amount, move the decimal one point to the
left and then double that number. For example, if your bill is $26.00 and
you move the decimal one point to the left, you’re left with $2.60. Dou-
bling this will put your tip at $5.20 and your total at $31.20.

You can also just use an app on your iPhone that calculates the tip.

As long as you tip 20% or more it doesn’t matter ­— just be sure to fill in
the total amount so there is no confusion. I usually tip based on a gut
feeling and the rules described above. I rarely know exactly what per-
cent I tip, but I know it’s always roughly 20% or more.

A Short Guide to Restaurant Ratings

Eating in New York is magical. You have everything you could ever want
within reach. Sushi, Chinese, Korean BBQ, the list goes on. You will be so
excited to see all these burger places and wow, $1 pizza? Amazing! But
trust me, the novelty will wear off pretty quickly.

For me it happened after living in New York for about three months,
when I got food poisoning. It was my first time getting food poisoning

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 7 — 97 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE CITY BASICS

and I thought I was dying.

Since then I pay close attention to the restaurants I’m choosing. The
good news is, the city of New York put a grading system in place that I
wasn’t aware of when I first moved here. Restaurants are inspected and
receive a grade based on how they measure up to specific health codes.
They are required by law to make their grade visible in their front window
or inside the entrance. A restaurant can be graded either A, B or C. A is the
best rating, C the worst.

Grade A means the restaurant passed most points during their health in-
spection. If you see a big A on a restaurant, it doesn’t mean the food is
good, but at least it’s safe to go there.

Grade B means it’s in between. I’ve been to a couple B-graded restau-

rants and didn’t notice anything strange in particular, but it’s definitely
worth questioning why they have a grade B. I have heard that specific
qualities (like having an “open kitchen,” for example) automatically gives
you a lower score on the grading system, even though everything is as
clean as it should be. Not all violation points have to do with food safety.

Grade C is where things become pretty gross and can even be harmful. I
would never go into a restaurant that has a C grading. I don’t even under-
stand why restaurants are allowed to stay open with a C grade.

“Grade Pending” means that the restaurant recently had an inspection

and is waiting for their grade. In that case, I would double check Four-
square or Yelp ratings just to be safe.

If you’re interested in more information about how the grading system

works, this article explains it pretty nicely.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 7 — 98 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE CITY BASICS

Grocery Shopping
Your neighborhood will most likely influence the way you do grocery
shopping, but here are a couple things I’ve learned.

For bigger purchases it’s worth visiting a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s,
which have a huge selection and are two of the best and biggest grocery
stores in New York.

For smaller things I usually go to little bodegas in my neighborhood (also

called delis or corner stores). Most of them are open late or even 24/7.
I do not recommend buying anything fresh or unpackaged there, such
as meat.

Other essentials such as drugs or household items can also be pur-

chased at a Duane Reade or CVS pharmacy, which are all over the city
and have convenient hours if you work full time.

Food Ordering Services

As you can imagine, New York is heaven when it comes to being lazy and
just ordering your food. You can order pretty much anything and depend-
ing on where and what you order, it can actually be cheaper than eating
out or cooking your own food.

Currently, the best service for ordering meals is Seamless, with thou-
sands of restaurants available for order. UberEATS works great too. And
of course AmazonFresh, where you can order groceries and produce for
delivery to your door.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 7 — 99 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE CITY BASICS

How to Navigate the City

One of the things I love most about this city is how easy it is to navigate,
especially most parts of Manhattan. You essentially need to know two
things: avenues and streets. Avenues are vertical going north to south,
and streets are horizontal, going east to west. It’s a perfect grid, as I’m
sure the designers reading this will appreciate.

As I mentioned earlier, taking the subway and biking are the best ways
to travel in New York. Even though New York’s subway is pretty old and
gross, it’s still one of the best ways to get around. If you have zero ori-
entation like me, I recommend downloading the NYC Subway MTA app.
I used it a lot my first two years living in the city. Google Maps or Apple
Maps also provide subway navigation.

PRO TIP: Before you enter a subway station, make sure that it’s either a
Downtown or Uptown station depending on where you want to go. Also,
learn the difference between local and express trains. It sometimes
changes, but generally the 1 train is local while 2 and 3 are express. Ex-
press means they skip a couple stations instead of stopping at every
station. You will learn this pretty quickly, trust me. Always listen to the
subway conductor.

Aside from these suggestions, I will leave you to discover the city on your
own. My best advice is to get out there every day. Buy a bicycle as soon as
you can and explore NYC by yourself. Enjoy the city, breathe the city and
make new friends every day.

Chapter Summary
→ Tipping works differently here. Try to leave a 20% tip for most services.
→ Restaurant grades are important. Choose restaurants with Grade A.
→ Shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s for fresh foods.
→ Take advantage of food and grocery delivery services.
→ Learn the map of New York and use an app to navigate the subway.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 8 — 100 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
TAXES & MAINTENANCE

Step 8
Taxes and Other
Maintenance
Inside This Chapter
If you’ve reached this last and
→ How to do taxes as a full-time employee
final step, you’ve already been
→ How to do taxes as a freelancer
living in New York for almost → Staying on top of your visa situation
a year and are hopefully loving → Looking out for rent increases
the city as much as I do. → Managing your health care plan

I don’t want to get into too

much detail with this chapter,
but there are a couple things
you should know about keep-
ing your taxes and other
paperwork straight while liv-
ing in the States.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 8 — 101 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
TAXES & MAINTENANCE

Doing Annual Taxes as Full-Time Employee

Like most things, taxes work differently in the United States than in oth-
er countries. In Europe, for example, taxes get automatically deducted
from your salary and you don’t need to do much after that. In the United
States, the company you work for deducts your estimated taxes, but you
still have to file your taxes at the end of the year.

Here’s a simple overview:

→ At the end of the year, the company you work for will give you a W2
form which you’ll use to file for your tax return.

→ You will either find a personal accountant (just ask your colleagues
who have lived here for a while for recommendations) or sign up for
TurboTax, which is an online service that helps you file your taxes.

→ After you file your taxes with either TurboTax or manually with an ac-
countant, you will know how much return you will get or how much you
need to pay. In most cases you will receive a tax refund within a few
months (especially in your first years of living in New York, because you
will most likely overpay on taxes).

→ Your tax return complexity essentially depends on how much money

you make, how many assets you own (car, house, apartment), if you’re
married with children and so on.

IMPORTANT: Be honest and accurate when filing your taxes. If you do

your taxes incorrectly or omit important information, you could get audit-
ed by the U.S. government, which could result in fees and legal troubles.

I’ve personally never done my taxes myself. I’d rather pay about $100
for an accountant so I don’t have to worry about doing it wrong. Howev-
er, TurboTax works pretty well if you’re a single (unmarried) person with
zero assets and a regular salary.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 8 — 102 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
TAXES & MAINTENANCE

Doing Annual Taxes a Freelancer

If you’re lucky enough to be a freelancer in New York, filing your taxes
becomes a bit more complicated. I recommend you get an accountant
immediately. If you’re running your business as a sole proprietorship, an
LLC or even as a Corp you will need an accountant to give you advice
and help you file your taxes.

But heads up: An accountant (also called a CPA) will most likely cost you
around $1,000-$2,000+ per year if you’re running a simple, one man/
woman show with no employees. You will also want to pay your tax esti-
mates on a quarterly basis to avoid any surprises at the end of the year.

Be prepared: Paying taxes while living in New York is expensive! Base

taxes include Federal Income Tax, NY State Tax and New York City Tax. A
general rule is to put away 40% of your income and reserve it for taxes.

I’m sure this works similarly in your current country. Be sure to keep your
receipts and invoices, and consult a professional accountant.

Learn more about managing your finances as a freelancer here.

Other Ongoing Maintenance

We’re nearly to the end! But first, a few things to keep in mind as you
continue working and living in New York. You’ve already completed the
visa process and moved across countries, so the following should be
easy for you at this point.

Stay on top of your visa situation

If you’re on a visa, stay in touch with your immigration attorney. For ex-
ample, if your visa lasts for three years but you’re planning to stay longer,
let your attorney know in advance and get in touch at least 10 months
before the visa expires.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC CHAPTER 8 — 103 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
TAXES & MAINTENANCE

Be aware of rent increase

Expect your rent to eventually go up. It’s just the way it works in New
York. Be aware of changes and stay in touch with your landlord to avoid
any surprises. If your apartment is not rent-controlled, rent can go up
anytime. Always negotiate 2-3 year fixed rent prices and contracts for
your apartment.

Stay on top of your health care plan

You can only shop around for a health care plan at the end of each year
(unless you switch jobs). This time period is called “open enrollment,”
and it’s a short window in which you can upgrade or downgrade your
current health insurance plan. You are locked into the plan for a full year,
so this is an important date you don’t want to miss.

Other than that, you’re pretty much all set. These are the most important
things you should take care of throughout the year. Everything else is of
course up to you.

Chapter Summary
→ Get an accountant if you can afford it, especially if you are a freelancer.

→ Taxes are especially high in New York. If you freelance, set aside 40%
of your income in taxes.

→ Pay attention to detail and best honest about your income. If the IRS
thinks you are cheating on your taxes, you could get audited.

→ Stay on top of your visa situation and health care plan. Pay attention to
your paperwork and be aware of possible rent increases.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC THE FINAL — 104 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Yes, You
Made It!
You are now a
New Yorker.*
*To be honest, I don’t know when you can
officially call yourself a New Yorker. It
depends on who is going to be offended
by it ;)

I have heard that if you’ve lived in New

York for around 10 years, you can officially
call yourself a real New Yorker.

But don’t take my word for it.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC THE FINAL — 105 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

What’s Next?

That is totally up to you! The beauty of New York is that it is what you
make of it. I hope this little e-book helped you or will help you make your
move to this magical city. It’s quite a ride, I can promise you that.

Thank you so much for supporting this project. If you enjoyed this book,
please let me know. If you know a friend who could benefit from it, you
can point them to this link to buy it. If I ever see you in person, you will
get a hug for sure!

Please also have a look at my blog where I will share related articles and
other thoughts on being a designer and maker. And of course, if you still
have some questions that you feel are unanswered, feel free to hit me up
on Twitter and I will try my best to help you.

And now, go out and make the world a more beautiful place!
I hope I run into you in New York. It’s only one small city, after all.

Yours truly,
Tobias

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580

NYC — 106 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Order ID: 0103700580